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{
"id": 94830,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/94830/?format=api",
"text_counter": 62,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Ojode",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security",
"speaker": {
"id": 197,
"legal_name": "Joshua Orwa Ojode",
"slug": "joshua-ojode"
},
"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, on Wednesday, 21st July, 2010, hon. Dr. Khalwale, the MP for Ikolomani Constituency rose on a point of order requesting a Ministerial Statement on the security situation in Kakamega Town. In the statements, he wanted the Minister to give reasons for the sudden upsurge of gang crime in Kakamega and what the Government is doing to bring normalcy to Western Province. He further sought to know whether the Government would compensate the families of the affected and what the Government intends to do with the PPO, Mr. King'ori Mwangi, in view of the crime upsurge. Finally, he also sought to know why the OCPD Kakamega has been left with only one patrol vehicle for the four districts in Kakamega; that is, Kakamega Central, South, North and Kakamega East. I wish to state as follows:- On 28th June, 2010, at around 2.00 p.m., an Asian businessman was fatally shot while leaving his residence during a robbery incident in Kakamega. An unknown amount of money, a car registration number KBH 092Z, a Toyota Corolla Saloon was robbed from him. However, the car was later recovered within the town. On 8th July, 2010 at around 3.55 p.m., three Asians while travelling from Mumias to Kakamega in a motor vehicle registration number KBL 690C a saloon car were attacked by an armed gang at Mwitoti area of Ekeru Sub-location. During the attack, one of them sustained a bullet wound on the left leg and another was injured on the forehead. The victims did not stop and managed to drive to Nala Nursing Home in Kakamega for treatment. At the scene, three spent cartridges of 7.62 millimetres (mm) were recovered and have since been sent to ballistic experts for analysis. Investigations are underway with a view to apprehending those who were involved in the crime. Investigations conducted indicate that the recent wave of crime has been as a result of the 122 convicts who were recently released from the Kakamega GK Prison through a Presidential Pardon, out of which 20 were hardcore criminals. Further, the vast constituencies of Ikolomani and Shinyalu are served by Kakamega Police Station. To curb the crime in the region, the following measures have been put in place:- One, highway patrols have been intensified along the main highways and roads. There are plans to construct police posts to beef up security in that area. In this regard, the local community has been approached to donate land towards the intended constructions. The community policing committees have been strengthened at the station level to enhance intelligence collection. Beats and patrols have been intensified in the crime prone areas by both regular and administrative police. Joint operations by OCPDs Busia and Siaya have been launched to flush out suspected criminals operating across the border. Snap road blocks are currently being erected to deter crime in the affected area. The neighbourhood watch initiative has been intensified. That initiative brings together the police and the business community in policing activities. The police and bus owners operating or transiting Western Province have agreed on conducting searches before departures; the buses are being escorted by police along the Kakamega-Kisumu Highway. These security measures have started bearing fruit. On 4th July, 2010 at about 4.30 pm, along Kakamega-Mumias Road near Ishisuru Centre, police engaged suspected criminals in an exchange of fire. Three criminals were fatally shot and the following recovered. A motor vehicle registration number KBK 390S, a Toyota station wagon, one pistol and four rounds of ammunition were recovered. Nine suspected criminals have so far been arrested and charged before the Chief Magistrate Court, Kakamega with various charges of robbery with violence. The issue of compensation can only be handled through the court of law. The Government is not culpable for such criminal acts. The incidences are under investigation and once the culprits are arrested, they will be arraigned in court. The two incidences where one Asian was killed and others attacked cannot be blamed on the person of the Provincial Police Officer, Western Province, Mr. King'ori Mwangi. Those incidences, though unfortunate and regretted, are isolated and, hence, cannot be used to draw a conclusion that there is an upsurge in crime and that, the PPO has so far failed in his duties. The area has not experienced any other incident since 8th July, 2010. It is not true that the four districts of Kakamega, South, Central, North and East are patrolled by one vehicle. The following police vehicles are currently patrolling the area. One is GK 914G a Toyota Land Cruiser, GK A947H, Toyota Land Cruiser, GK A539E a Toyota Land Cruiser that belongs to the CID Department. However, after the Government procures additional vehicles during this financial year, the district will be considered for additional allocation alongside other police divisions and stations which do not have vehicles. I rest my case."
}