Bonchari residents have accused outlawed sungu sungu gang of frustrating Kisii County Government in implementing a 24-hour economy for Suneka town.
Led by Bomorenda MCA John Ombati, Philip Obote Motonu (Riana) and Protus Moindi (Bomariba), the traders challenged the government to take urgent measures to assure area residents of their security from threats being issued to residents who dare question the illegal gang's lawless activities in the area.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Kisii County Commissioner, Chege Mwangi's offices in Kisii town after a peaceful demonstration from Suneka Town to the County Commissioner's offices to deliver their grievances, the residents accused the gang of harassing traders and members of the public whenever it reaches 8pm. They said those who defy the cartels' demands get whipped or extorted of their cash before being set free.
Ombati lamented that despite the Kisii County government installing street lights to enhance security for Suneka Town residents and traders to conduct their businesses in a secure environment to fast-track the county's dream of a 24-hour economy, the dream has been shattered by the illegal gang which is harassing innocent people in the area.
He challenged the government to immediately ban the activities of illegal gangs hiding behind community policing initiative.
The MCAs accused Kisii South Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner, Willy Cheboi of contributing to the current security challenges facing the area since he mandated chiefs and their assistants to handpick and impose questionable community policing members on them contrary to the procedures of picking the community policing members.
"Bonchari residents blame the current insecurity situation in the area on the Kisii South Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Mr Willy Cheboi for locking out community members in selection of community policing members. Instead he sanctioned chiefs and their assistants to hand pick and impose the community policing members on the communities without following due process of the law," stated Ombati.
Ombati said, failure by the security agencies to engage members of the public to identify, vet and approve community policing members had led to infiltration of the committees by criminals who allegedly enjoy protection from those who picked them to the detriment of the community.
He challenged the Kisii Central Deputy County Commissioner Mr Philip Soi, who was representing the County Commissioner, to ensure all services and operations of the current community policing members have been suspended until the local community members pick new members to serve in those committees.
His sentiments were supported by Motonu and Moindi who said they will not relent until Bonchari residents have been assured of their security and have those hiding behind community policing to terrorise innocent citizens summoned to record statements with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID)to keep peace in the area.
Soi assured the residents that he had taken up their grievances and will forward them to the County Commissioner and County Security committee for action.