Security
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), The Border Management secretariat, and The National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC) have partnered with Security agencies in Garissa County to conduct a peace road caravan meant to restore trust between the police and citizens.
The peace procession comes barely a month after the town experienced a high crime rate perpetrated by young people using machetes, knives, pangas and in some instances guns.
The security officials who included the Garissa County commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo, Garissa Township sub county police commander Samuel Boit, assistant county commissioners and chiefs reiterated that peace and security is a shared responsibility of both the police and the public who must work together.
“Let us all agree as residents, the security agencies and our investors that we will not allow criminals in our midst. A criminal has no brother or neighbor and will have anyone as a victim like we have seen people being attacked by their brothers,” Mwabudzo said.
The county commissioner at the same time directed that all those who have illegal guns surrender them to authorities under a United Nations (UN) annual amnesty program allowed on September every year. “I am calling on anyone who has an illegal gun to surrender it to my office or any police station during this amnesty. After this amnesty, we will come for these firearms and shall not negotiate with anyone on this issue,” Mwabudzo said.
“We are also asking the community leaders and elders, because they are respected in the villages, to hold public barazas and ask the people to surrender any illegal weapon to us in a peaceful manner,” he added. He noted that the government had the capacity to maintain peace and protect every Kenyan and thus no one should keep illegal firearms in the pretext of protecting themselves.
“We have different security troops in all parts of this county, even in the most interior areas. We ask our citizens not to work with Al Shabaab terrorists but work with our forces so that we get rid of the terrorists and attract investors here who will help us to grow,” he said.
Garissa Township police boss urged the residents to share information on any illegal activities by criminals within their areas so that action can be taken. “We want you to be able to come to us and tell us that so and so is breaking into people’s shops and stealing, or someone is smoking bhang or even someone is carrying knives or guns around and committing crimes. My office will respond swiftly,” Boit said.