Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat made an impromptu visit to Kondele Police Station in Kisumu amid intensified raids to net criminals terrorising residents.

Officers in the region were caught unawares by the surprise visit to establish the cause of the recent killing of a General Service Unit (GSU) officer identified as Calvince Omondi in unclear circumstances in Manyatta slums.

Lagat’s visit comes in the wake of raging concerns by the county authorities following the latest wave of criminal acts, with local leaders asking the police to beef up beat patrols.

Yesterday, Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda asked the police to beef up patrols in the city suburbs prone to crime.

“ We are concerned about the latest incidences where some innocent members of the public have lost lives in brutal attacks by suspect gangs marauding in the city’s informal settlements. We want you to beef up patrols,” said Prof Ojienda.

Electoral turf

But he is not alone. Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron also voiced concerns on reported incidents of insecurity in his electoral turf, where two policemen have been the latest victim of brutal attacks.

Apart from the late GSU officer Omondi, who was stabbed to death, another police constable attached to Kisii police station is also fighting for his dear life at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), after he was hit with a blunt object, two weeks ago.

Lagat was concerned about the registered complaints and assured the residents that all would not go in vain as his team was determined to wipe out the masquerading gangs in the city slums.

Lagat told the regional police commander led by Patrick Tito and Kizito Mutoro and detectives to carry on with intensified raids.

He commended them for the arrest of two suspects nabbed already in Connection with the recent GSU incident.

The DIG visit was kept secret and even the press learnt of his presence as he was leaving the station.

Sources at Kondele police station disclosed he held a top security meeting with the top security officers.

He reportedly told them to firm up investigations and ensure that the suspected murderers were brought to book.

The late Omondi’s relatives, led by the foster parent and former Kolwa Central MCA George Olwal, were present and met with the Deputy IG.

“We want the perpetrators brought to book. We are so far happy with your intervention leading to the latest arrests. We want to see more justice done to us,” said Olwal.