Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma addressing the residents after receiving the petition

Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma addressing the residents after receiving the petition

Article by Daniel Ominde

Hundreds Kisumu residents today Friday 21st August turned out in large numbers in a peaceful demonstration to petition the County Police Commander and The Governor of Kisumu to take action against an increase in crime rate in the Lakeside city of Kisumu.

This is following active online rallying and mobilisation among active social media users in Kisumu city through the hastags #InsecurityinKisumu and #KisumuLivesMater from Wednesday 19th August and a unified call to turn out in large numbers at the Taifa Park to demand action on the growing insecurity in the county.

The residents have for the past few weeks been forced to live in fear following an upsurge in criminal gang activity in the town as thugs raided the residents walking at night in Kisumu streets.

 

The attacks had since escalated to residential areas where the criminals have been breaking houses in Kisumu estates, killing most of their victims and raping women and young girls.

The worst affected areas are the up market Riat estate, Milimani Estate, Migosi Estate, Manayatta, Nyalenda, Kenya-Re, Obunga and Car wash.
Hundreds of Kisumu residents turned up at the Taifa Park on Friday morning and marched through Kisumu town to the County Police Headquarters  where they delivered their petition

In their petition the residents demanded that the  police officers who have stayed in Kisumu for a long time be transferred to other areas, the county government to erect more security lights in the estates and registration of all bodaboda operators in the county.

Both the County Police Boss and Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma recieved the petition promising to take action.
The residents have given the authorities 14 days to act or face more demonstrations.