Leaders blame NYS recruits for crime surge

What you need to know:

  • But Prof Nyong’o and Mr Outa yesterday said crime rate rose after the employment of the youth, who clean up local slums.
  • The leaders’ remarks come in the wake of increased attacks by criminals in the town for the past three months.
  • Most of the gangs operate at dawn and in the evenings in Mamboleo, Migosi, Car Wash, Nyalenda, Kanyakwar and Arya estates.

Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o and Nyando MP Fred Outa have accused National Youth Service recruits of rising crime in the county.
However, Nyanza Regional Coordinator Francis Mutie told the Nation the crime wave is a result of mushrooming slums and the high number of jobless youth.
“We have deployed rapid response teams to tackle the situation. Residents should report incidents of crime to us,” said Mr Mutie.
But Prof Nyong’o and Mr Outa yesterday said crime rate rose after the employment of the youth, who clean up local slums.
“Since their arrival, we have witnessed a rise in killings and rapes, yet the police do little to protect residents,” Mr Outa said during a meeting with leaders at Kogony in Kisumu West Sub-County.
He called for a scrutiny into the backgrounds of the youth, saying a majority of them were hired from outside the town.
“We have done our own research and verified that only 10 per cent of the people employed are from this region. Were the rest of the youth brought here to escalate insecurity?” said Mr Outa.
The leaders’ remarks come in the wake of increased attacks by criminals in the town for the past three months.
In August alone, several people were killed and at least 100 injured or maimed by criminal gangs.
Survivors told the Nation, the criminals, who usually ride on motorbikes, slash their victims with machetes and hardly steal anything.
Most of the gangs operate at dawn and in the evenings in Mamboleo, Migosi, Car Wash, Nyalenda, Kanyakwar and Arya estates.
Prof Nyong’o demanded the names and places of origin of the NYS recruits “to ascertain their motives”.