The government will conduct day and night operations at Handege village in Gatundu South, Kiambu County to end the insecurity that has seen three people die under mysterious circumstances in a span of one month.
Gatundu South Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Stanley Kamande announced that 24-hour police patrols will be conducted at the village to weed out the goons believed to have staged various forms of crime thereby stalling economic activities in the area.
In a heated public baraza that saw political, religious and security leaders engage with locals, Kamande announced that police will conduct serious operations against idlers found roaming within the village shopping centre.
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He insisted that no idler will be spared during police crackdowns and urged all youth without jobs to either start farming or engage in meaningful economic engagements.
“We will not need a curfew to tame insecurity in this village. A serious day and night operation that will see all idlers arrested will calm waters. If you are a youth and you have no job, go start farming as we will spare no one. If you have nothing to do, give your parents company at home,” Kamande warned.
Gatundu South Sub County police commander Wilmot Mwakiyo expressed the need for revamping community policing and Nyumba Kumi programs in curbing rising insecurity in the area.
Mwakio termed the programs as effective if well-handled and those directly in charge recognized.
“I also urge you to continue volunteering information. Don’t be silent when your neighbour’s house is being broken into because the next one will be yours. We will have enough officers for twenty-four-hour operations to help fight the criminals,” Mwakio said.
The new security measures were announced after weeks of uproar from locals who decried 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, a 58-year-old woman who has been living alone and who locals suspect was attacked by unknown assailants a week ago.
Nyanjega’s body, residents said, was found inside her house lying on the floor facing downward with blood oozing from her mouth while her radio and television were on.
Early in the month, the residents revealed 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 store before they later moved to Handege Secondary School where they also stole items of unknown value.
Gatundu gang targets elderly
The criminals, according to locals, are reported to be targeting homes where only elderly people live, stealing home appliances at night when the aged persons are dead asleep.
They have also been raiding farms where thousands worth of arrowroots, immature maize and bananas are stolen for sale to unknown markets.
Addressing the residents during the baraza, newly elected area MCA Joe Kigara said the devolved government will fast-track the establishment of engagements that will lessen idleness among the youth in the villages.
“We are planning to have yearly football leagues that will ensure our youth at the grassroots are fully occupied with no space for evil-thinking. It has worked before and we will make it work even here,” Kigara said.
