Residents of Handege village in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, now want security agencies to promptly intervene to curb the growing insecurity that has left several people dead in a span of one month.
The disgruntled locals claim that armed criminals have been attacking them at night where they also rob them of home appliances, and farm harvests before they flee in darkness.
Recently found dead at her home is Lucy Nyanjega Kariuki, 58, who was living alone and who locals suspect was attacked by unknown assailants on the night of Monday, August 22.
Nyanjega’s body was found inside her house lying on the floor facing downward with blood oozing from her mouth while her radio and television were on.
Police reports further indicate that her three front teeth had been mysteriously knocked out, a situation that has left the villagers tensed and in fear of being attacked.
“The deceased was found lying on the floor facing downward dead with blood oozing from the mouth and the keys near her. The body was moved to Gatundu Level Five Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem,” a police report read in part.
Residents recount insecurity incidents
Early this month, the residents said that the guard manning Handege Primary School was heinously butchered by unknown criminals who made away with the school laptops, and projector among other items.
The criminals are said to have broken into the school’s electronic stores where they found the electronics.
Later, residents said the same criminals moved to Handege Secondary School where they also stole items of unknown value.
A young man from the village is also said to have mysteriously lost his life in the hands of armed criminals who the police are yet to establish.
In the homesteads, the criminals are reported to be targeting homes where only elderly people live.
According to George Kinyanjui, an elite local, villagers have been making numerous reports to police and local authorities but no action has been taken.
“Many people have lost their phones in mugging attacks which is also a serious issue. We thereafter never used to lock our houses during the day but we can no longer live them that way as the criminals are leaving nothing to chance. Handege has lost its former glory of peace,” Kinyanjui said.
The residents suspected the criminals could be an illegal attacking sect that is forming and which they said should be tamed before it spreads its wings to the neighbouring villages.
James Kinyua, another resident stated that the criminals could be from within but locals have been fearing to name them over fears of being victimized.
“The government must act now; the criminals are within and are known only that our people fear being attacked when they name them. We want our local authorities to conduct public barazas where we will openly describe the criminals for arrest and possible prosecution,” Kinyua told journalists.
