Kisii Deputy County Commissioner Mr Philip Soi has declared war on all illegal community policing members operating in the area.
Soi warned them that their days are numbered and warned them against hiding behind the name of community policing initiative to taint the image of the government on security issues.
Soi regretted that some criminal elements had taken advantage of the community policing initiative to engage in criminal activities in their areas of jurisdictions to the detriment of the initiative's objective of maintaining security at community levels.
He was speaking on Wednesday at the Kisii County Commissioner Chege Mwangi's office after receiving residents of Bonchari Sub-County who staged peaceful demonstrations to his office. The demonstrators were demanding for action over insecurity posed by a cartel of outlawed 'sungusungu' individuals hiding behind the community policing initiative to harass and extort innocent members of the public under the guise of maintaining law and order in the area.
"I am warning all criminal elements hiding behind the name of community policing initiative to destabilise peace and security which the residents in this region have been enjoying. I am sounding a warning to all those engaging in illegal activities in the name of community policing that they will face the law and carry their crosses for their criminal activities," stated Soi.
He clarified that he law on the picking of community policing members was clear and universal all over the Kenya and Bonchari was not exceptional.
He said communities should be given a chance to identify and vet members to serve in the community policing committees and anybody doing contrary to the law will have himself /herself to blame.
He assured Bonchari residents that the government will address their concerns and ensure security prevails in the area to allow residents conduct their businesses peacefully without threats of insecurity.