By Christopher Omondi
Youths in Kisumu Central Constituency, Kisumu County, recently took decisive action by engaging the Officer Commanding of the Kondele Police Station (OCS) at Shauri Moyo to demand improvements in the area’s security. During this meeting, they proposed strong initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration between the community and security agencies to enhance policing and ensure the safety of residents.
Manyatta, Nyalenda, Obunga, and Migosi have become hotbeds of crime, with a shocking rise in violent robberies. Residents made it clear that these incidents are now commonplace, leading to the loss of property and lives as criminals operate with absolute impunity. One resident recounted a recent attack where a woman was violently assaulted in the Mama Leah area by three individuals on a motorbike, who stole all her belongings and left her injured.
“This situation has become intolerable. Thieves now feel empowered to invade homes and steal whatever they can find, including water meters and internet routers. The absence of functioning floodlights only adds to our vulnerability,” a concerned resident stated. The lack of regular police patrols in these areas is unacceptable and can be attributed to weak law enforcement and ineffective policing strategies. In response to this crisis, residents have formed vigilant groups to patrol their neighborhoods, particularly in informal settlements like Manyatta, Nyalenda, and Obunga. This action has unfortunately led to instances of mob justice, where community members often misidentify suspects and tragically harm innocent people. This highlights the urgent need for stronger collaboration with security agencies to ensure that the actual offenders are apprehended and brought to justice.
The OCS of Kondele Police Station, Mr. Daniel Ogechi, has made it clear that he is committed to crime prevention. He announced robust initiatives aimed at enhancing community engagement. “We will establish regular community policing forums, allowing police officers and residents to tackle security concerns head-on and devise effective solutions for crime in Kisumu City. Furthermore, we will empower our vigilante groups by integrating them into Neighborhood Watch programs, enabling them to actively monitor and report suspicious activities. I am also working closely with other law enforcement agencies, including the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the Community Policing Committee, to conduct outreach forums focused on critical issues such as drug abuse and the upcoming elections.”
