CS Murkomen Goes After Motorcycle Gangs

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a crackdown on motorcycle gangs in Vihiga County.

In a statement on Saturday, September 6, Murkomen said the gangs have been linked to disrupting traffic, interfering with funeral processions, and carrying out robberies in the county.

The Interior CS said security agencies will target the gangs to prevent the situation from escalating into a more serious threat.

“Though political thuggery and gang problems are not widespread in the county, there is a growing motorcycle gang culture in the county. They disrupt traffic and funerals, and carry out robberies to finance their activities.

“The groups will be targeted in our impending crackdown to ensure it doesn't morph into a more serious threat,” said Murkomen.

At the same time, CS Murkomen expressed concern over the growing problem of drug and substance abuse in Vihiga County.

He announced that security agencies will step up a crackdown on major drug traffickers as part of the wider fight against illicit alcohol and drugs

“Since marijuana is not produced in the county, the crackdown against illicit alcohol and drugs that we announced yesterday will target major drug traffickers who supply drugs to the county.

“Our security agencies will also incorporate students and the administrations of colleges and universities in the fight against the problem,” said the Interior CS.

Furthermore, he directed administration officers in Vihiga to intensify barazas to educate the public against drug use.

“Security operations alone will not solve the long-standing drug problem in this county. I have directed our administration officers in the county to intensify barazas to sensitize Wananchi against drug use and to spearhead a shift in perceptions on the use of drugs that, unfortunately, has been normalized in the community,” Murkomen added.

This comes days after the interior CS ordered security agencies to intensify operations against criminal gangs targeting unsuspecting citizens in Nairobi CBD.

The order came after an uproar from Kenyans online who shared harrowing experiences of being mugged and robbed in Nairobi.

Speaking during a Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Bungoma, CS Murkomen said that street children have been forming small groups armed with knives, which they use to attack unsuspecting members of the public.

“These so-called street children organize themselves in small groups with knives and attack unsuspecting citizens.

“That is the daily responsibility of OCSs and police officers in those areas. It should not wait for a special directive,” said Murkomen.