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The county government of Uasin Gishu has stepped up operations to rid Eldoret City of criminals who have been terrorising residents.

Governor Jonathan Bii’s administration is determined to ensure the town which was recently elevated to a city maintains its status.

Areas targeted in the operation being carried by the County Government Inspectorate personnel are bus parks and backstreets where petty thieves, muggers and drug peddlers have been harassing innocent members of the public.

In the operation, street families are being taken to Eldoret Rescue Centre while suspected muggers, drug peddlers and petty thieves are being handed to police for further legal action.

Governor Bii has, however, warned the county inspectorate personnel against harassing innocent civilians and has ordered stringent measures including the introduction of new uniforms with identification tags.

This after claims emerged that a group of former county workers are harassing traders and extorting money from them claiming to work for the devolved unit.

According to Bii, all the county askaris will have to operate in new uniforms for identification purposes to stop further harassment of traders.

Bii who inspected the ongoing infrastructure projects being undertaken by his administration said he will not tolerate any county workers engaging in forms of lawlessness.

“I will deal personally with any enforcement officer found guilty of frustrating the traders and taking bribes from them. All law-abiding traders deserve to work in a conducive environment,” said Bii accompanied by county officials.

There have been complaints from the traders of harassment from the county askaris. They also accused the askaris of taking bribes from them and confiscating their wares.

Bii said he would continue to engage with the traders to foster a good relationship for business to thrive in the region.

A recent report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) put officers in Bii’s administration on the spot during the recent clash with street families and hawkers.

According to KNCHR, there was excessive use of force, torture and inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment of traders and street persons by the inspectorate officials.