Police officers in Eldoret town have announced a major breakthrough in a crackdown against criminals that have been targeting Mpesa shops and supermarkets within the town.
Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr Eddyson Nyale says they recently seized a firearm that the criminals have been using to terrorize locals not only in Eldoret town but also in nearby urban areas.
Addressing the press at his office, Dr Nyale said preliminary investigations have linked the firearm to at least five robbery incidences in Eldoret.
“We have managed to get the firearm. We have checked and confirmed that it is the same one that has been used in all those incidents. Ballistics have also indicated that the firearm had also been used outside the county,” said the county security boss.
“They would steal and once confronted, they would fire in the air to scare locals,” he added.
Among the incidences, the firearm is said to have been used are recent Mpesa robberies at a shop at Sosiani House near Trocadero junction in Eldoret town centre, Annex and a supermarket in Naiberi, Ainabokoi Sub-County.
Over the weekend, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said two suspected robbers had been killed and a motorcycle recovered.
Police patrols
But following the nabbing of the firearm, the county commissioner believes the robbery incidences have come to an end.
He has however insisted that the police will intensify surveillance and patrols to ensure any other individuals with the same motive are dealt with.
“We are now all over the place to ensure we keep peace and security so that traders and investors can have the confidence to do their business,” said Dr Nyale.
Further, the county commissioner said they have intensified security across key areas that have recently witnessed a surge in criminal incidences.
Concerning claims of police officers colluding with criminals, the county security boss affirmed that they will not entertain such vices among the uniformed officers.
“We shall operate above board; We are not going to compromise any element of security. We expect the same to be applied to our officers at the lower level. They must uphold integrity, confidentiality and ethics,” said Dr Nyale.
He also asked bodaboda operators not to be used by criminals.
