Governor blames poor police reaction over increased insecurity

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has blamed security personnel over recent increase in insecurity in the county and condemned what he termed ‘a mediocre working attitude’ of police.

This comes after a gang of thieves on Monday night terrorized residents in Bukura where they left atrail of blood after a night of stealing hacking and raping.

 “The police are sleeping on their work because how can a gang of thugs invade the village unnoticed yet we have three AP camps in the area? What is the use of the AP camps in Ebushitinji, Lunza and Shiraha and the Kenya Police stationed at Bukura if people can be attacked at will?” posed Oparanya.

He wondered why it took the police more than six hours to respond to the residents’ distress calls for rescue yet they are stationed a few kilometers from the area of attack.

 “It took more than six hours for security personnel to respond to the distress calls by residents, police officers should be accountable of increased insecurity incidents in the county” he said.

The incident which left seven people nursing serious machete injuries on the head is the sixth to happen in a series of one year alone.

The governor questioned why the police officers have never arrested any suspects who are terrorizing area dwellers and bashed them for their cliché utterances that ‘investigations are underway.’

Kakamega County Commissioner Mwongo Chimwaga said that it is very unfortunate for security agencies to take hours to respond to security matters.

“It is unfortunate for security personnel to respond to security matters an hour later after they are informed of any attack. They should practice professionalism and respond quickly to save residents” said Chimwaga.

He urged the county government, MPs and MCAs to set aside funds for the construction of a new police post in the area because it will take longer time for the national government to budget for it.

“The simplest measures to be taken is the county government, MP and area MCA to set aside some funds for the construction of a new police post in the area because it will take longer time for the national government to allocate funds to build it” he said.

He also called on all leaders in the area to work together with the security agencies to enhance security of residents.

“All leaders should work together to ensure that security is adhered to, residents should also be involved by tipping police on plans that may disrupt peace of residents” he stated.

..ENDS..