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| Police officers doing crackdowns |
Kiptoo’s call comes in the wake of daylight and night thefts of domestic animals, including sheep, goats, sheep, poultry, and scrap metal.
Addressing area residents during a public baraza in Amagoro on Friday to address security concerns, the ACC said the spate of thefts was a phenomenon that could not be tolerated at all costs by President William Ruto’s administration.
“We will end this menace at all costs.” As a security team, we want to assure the residents of Amagoro maximum security and safety of their animals,” he noted.
“Apart from thefts of domestic animals and poultry, cases of theft of scrap metal have taken its toll. I hereby issue a directive that anybody found carrying such devices should be detained and security apparatus informed to apprehend them. We need to end this practice once and for all.”
The ACC urged the bodaboda and the public to embrace a multiagency approach by working closely with the security team. However, he challenged the Bodaboda leadership to have all the details of those operating in the sector.
Kiptoo regretted that parental neglect was the leading factor that has led to a crime upsurge since most family heads don’t monitor the movement of their children, who ended up engaging in illicit activities and failing to respect their parents, whom he said were equally to blame for failing to discipline them, thus escalating the issue.
On concerns from members of the public who called for transfers of police officers, some of whom have overstayed in their current stations for over 10 years, Kiptoo urged members of the public to seek an audience with the next office if they noticed such anomalies and no appropriate action was taken.
The resident urged police and administrators not to give a blind eye on the cases of mushrooming changaa dens and unlicensed bars which were operating at odd hours, posing a risk of insecurity in the area.
Deputy Officer in Charge of Amagoro Patrol Base Cynthia Ngujiri said there was a need for collaborative efforts between the police and members of the public to avail information that would help curb rampant crime.
Acting Teso Sub County Administrator Silas Juma said the Busia County Government would issue notices to wine and spirits operators to define their modus operandi.
“Business persons operating bars selling beer should strictly adhere to that and not sell spirits and vice versa. Pool table operators should also get licenses, and those found operating beyond time will have their licenses withdrawn,” Juma said.
By Absalom Namwalo