The foul murder incident in which gangs raided the home of Nyakach MP
Aduma Owuor, killed his parents before setting their house ablaze in an alleged
revenge attack has sparked anxiety in the area. It is now a blame game between
the police and residents as gangs take over the lakeside region. In Muhoroni
Sub-County, locals along Muhoroni-Nandi boarder are locked up in a tough land
tussle.
The case that has claimed more than five lives recently is believed to have
been triggered by politicians who are out to trigger violence between the two
communities. Most farms in the area have remained unplanted for seasons as
criminals destroy crops in various raid incidents.
The upsurge in insecurity forced the cabinet secretary in charge
of the Interior docket Joseph ole Lenku and police chief David Kimaiyo to hold
a crisis meeting with leaders and security apparatus in the area yesterday.
“We have never fought for land in this county ever since. The
timing of these incidences disturbs everybody in the county,” said Kisumu
governor Jacktone Ranguma.
The vicious murder of Aduma’s further Francis Owuor, 83, and
mother Francisca Mary,62, on Thursday night has resuscitated the long pending
hatred between locals and the police.
Residents allege some police work in cahoots with gangs to rob
locals, pointing out instances where criminals have been caught with police
uniforms. They also claim some known cattle rustlers who later turn to haunt
them have been released by police under unclear circumstances.
“Cattle rustling in the area has a long history because the
police have refused to act. We now feel very scared following what has
happened,” said Tobias Okelo, a resident. Kisumu City Residents Association
chairman Audi Ogada claimed some security officers have overstayed in their
working stations to the extent that they enjoy a ‘good working relationship’
with locals, including gangs
“Police transfers are very healthy once members of the public
cannot trust the security organ,” he said.
County Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga asked the security apparatus
to explain the increased incidences of insecurity in the region and stopped
short of hinting that police are seeking Aduma’s life.
Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch claimed police had been implicated
in several insecurity incidences.
A resident of Nyakach claimed
there was a gang roaming freely at the early hours of the night, causing fear
among residents. He alleged some of them (residents) have opted to form
vigilante groups due to what he termed negligence by the security apparatus.
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