Leaders in Kisumu have moved swiftly to address a recent wave of insecurity, holding a high-level consultative meeting aimed at restoring public confidence and safeguarding the county’s economic gains.

Speaking on Monday, April 13, 2026, at a hotel in Kisumu County, Governor Anyang Nyong’o addressed the rising insecurity concerns in the County while reassuring county investors.

“Our today’s discussions are centred on recent incidents of lawlessness reported over the past week,” Nyong’o said.

The county boss emphasized that Kisumu has long been regarded as a safe and vibrant city, as well as a key investment hub and gateway to the Lake Region Economic Bloc.

However, he acknowledged that the recent incidents threaten to erode investor confidence and disrupt the county’s steady economic progress.

The leaders strongly condemned attacks targeting private property, singling out incidents at Fairways Hotel Kisumu and Java House West End Mall Kisumu that they described the acts as criminal and detrimental to the livelihoods of residents who depend on a stable business environment.

While reiterating the county government’s role as a development partner, Nyong’o pointed out that security remains primarily the responsibility of the national government.

National government involvement

He called on the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to intensify intelligence gathering and enforcement efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, some of which he said are disguising themselves as political supporters.

The leaders further urged security agencies to act swiftly and impartially in arresting and prosecuting those behind the attacks, regardless of their social or political status.

Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron echoed the governor’s concerns, noting that the recent events have alarmed both local residents and the country at large.

He stressed that Kisumu plays a critical role as a regional hub serving multiple counties and warned against any developments that could reverse the progress achieved in recent years.

“We cannot allow this to continue, and we do not want to derail the gains Kisumu has had over the last few years. We leaders have already begun exploring solutions to curb the worrying trend.”he said.

On his part, Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo assured residents that security agencies are firmly in control and will not tolerate criminal activity. He pledged decisive action against gangs involved in terrorizing residents and engaging in extortion.

“When it comes to security, there is no compromise. We will not allow criminal gangs to continue harassing innocent citizens. We will deal with them to ensure Kisumu remains a top destination for tourism and conferencing,” he said.

Leparmorijo, who also chairs the County Security Committee, called on members of the public to cooperate with authorities by providing accurate and timely information to aid ongoing operations.

Meanwhile, the forum brought together a broad spectrum of the county’s leadership, including Members of Parliament, Members of the County Assembly, the County Executive, and the County Security Committee.

At the same time, the leaders urged the youth to resist manipulation by individuals seeking to incite violence and instead take advantage of the economic opportunities emerging within the County.

They reaffirmed their collective commitment to restoring peace and ensuring that Kisumu retains its status as a welcoming destination for both local and international investors.