Kakamega County Commissioner has banned illicit brew dens, night discos at funerals, video kiosks and gambling in Lugari Sub County as part of measures aimed at curbing the wave of criminal activity that has rocked several parts in the region. The County Commissioner (CC), Mr. Kang’ethe Thuku issued the directive during his tour of the area where he held several meetings with security organs and the locals.
Addressing a village baraza at Marakusi market in Marakusi sub location, Thuku condemned recent criminal activities in which unidentified groups of criminals attacked, assaulted and raped several women in the area.
Thuku attributed night discos at funerals, outlawed liquors, video kiosks and gambling to the runaway wave of crime in the area.
“Night discos at funeral events, unlicensed video shops, gambling and dens of illicit brews have been banned with immediate effect,” directed the county boss, adding the same had been identified as crime enabling agents in the area.
Thuku observed gangs of criminals were using night discos and liquor dens to plan and execute robbery, murder and related activities.
“Anybody found participating in night discos or at illicit brew dens will be arrested and prosecuted,” he warned and directed police officers to patrol the area until when normalcy would return.
He blamed video kiosk owners for screening uncensored movies, saying some of the shows were responsible for organized rape, defilement, murder and robbery incidents in the Sub County.
The county boss further blamed lottery machines for the increase in petty theft in rural areas, with many parents accusing young men of stealing household items to enable them participate in the same.
“We won’t allow the lotto machines to be installed in rural parts of the county,” said Thuku who directed security officers to investigate and confiscate the said gadgets.
The CC asked the criminal investigations department to monitor recently released culprits under the president’s Power of Mercy programme.
A section of the locals accused the released jailbirds of masterminding criminal activities.
Responding to the locals’ allegations over the ineffectiveness of Nyumba Kumi clusters, Thuku ordered immediate disbandment and fresh elections for the same in Marakusi sub location.
He urged area residents to use the opportunity and elect credible individuals to the Nyumba Kumi committee clusters.
Prior to the village baraza, the county boss had meetings with members of Community Policing, Nyumba Kumi and Peace Committees at Lumakanda social hall.
The committees were drawn from Lumakanda, Chekalini, Mautuma and Lugari locations.
The CC was accompanied by County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO), Mr. Ambrose Munyasia, Deputy County Administration Police Officer (D/CAP), Mr. James Wasike and Deputy County Intelligence Coordinator Officer (D/CIC), Mr. Joseph Sirengo.
Lugari Sub County team was led by acting Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Mr. Reuben Kimosop, Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD), Mr. Bernard Macharia, DAPC, Mrs. Margaret Mwalua and Sub County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO) Mr. Bakari Ndzovu.