The new Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo and his Police Commander counterpart Kizito Mutoro have vowed to ruthlessly fight the high crime rate in the region.

Unlike their predecessors, Leparmorijo said they will take the unconventional path and not rely solely on handcuffs.  Leparmorijo disclosed that after he had moved to several neighbourhoods in Kisumu, listening to stories from victims of muggings while on their way home, the suspects are on the police radar.

Leparmorijo said police officers will particularly target boda boda and tuk tuk operators who turn against their customers after dropping them.

Off late, there has been increased insecurity in the lakeside county with reports of increased criminal activities affecting the safety and well-being of local communities in some residential estates.

The law enforcement agencies are now under pressure to maintain law and order. “We have intensified patrols around the estates and the whole county. We won’t spare suspects,’’ he declared.

Leparmorijo and Mutoro were speaking during the 61st Madaraka day celebrations at Kisumu’s Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium.

Volunteer information

They urged residents to volunteer information which might lead to the arrest of criminals. The security chiefs disclosed that they have seen the underbelly of the city, the dark alleys and desperate faces of residents.

Consequently, Mutoro gave out his phone number to the residents for tips and leads that could help police swiftly deter and/or combat suspected criminal acts.

The new county police commander also seized the opportunity to parade all county divisional police chiefs before the public and asked them to give out their numbers one by one as well.

“We want the public to become our eyes and ears. No more closed doors; no more silence. Before and when a crime occurs, we shall have arrested the suspects,’’ said Mutoro

This was the first public engagement by the security chiefs, a day after reporting to Kisumu.