Residents of Mwihoko area in Githurai 45 have raised concerns over growing insecurity in the estate blaming police for being reluctant.
According to them, several homes have been broken into and goods stolen. The residents also expressed their worries over a group of men who pose as touts in the area’s matatu terminus suspected to be behind the numerous theft cases in the area.
Caroline Nyambura, a resident whose house was recently broken into and goods stolen, said that she was in for a surprise when she returned home from work a week ago only to find out that her house was broken into.
“I came from work on Thursday evening and found my house broken into. The gate was open and in the house most of my electronics were stolen including a gas cylinder! All this happened during the day,” said Nyambura.
Another resident, Fred Okemwa also complained over a similar incidence that saw him lose electronics from his house.
“I had gone to shop in Githurai market and when I came back I found my house had been broken into. Most of my electronics in the house were missing. The thieves had made away with a television set, a DVD player, subwoofer and an iron box,” said Okemwa.
The residents had called an impromptu meeting to discuss the way forward over the increased insecurity cases. They demanded the area chief, Joyce Njeri Mwangi, to tackle the incidents and address the increased illegal brewing cases in the area.
According to the chief, the residents were to blamed over the increased insecurity cases since the police are unaware of such cases.
She also dismissed the issue of illegal brewing saying they had successfully closed down the brew centres and the brewers had moved their businesses to the neighbouring location of Giatheko area in Kasarani.
Njeri also confessed that there was a group in the area which was giving residents sleepless nights especially the area matatu sector by demanding for Sh 250 fee which must be paid on a daily basis though she dismissed the claim that the men were members of the outlawed Mungiki group.
Samuel Kinaro, a former aspirant on the county representative post in the area, as well confessed that insecurity was now becoming a challenge in the area and needed to be addressed so as the culprits are put to book.
“Insecurity has now become a new threat in Mwihoko Ward and as a matter of fact needs to be addressed so the criminals are brought to book. We cannot live in fear while the police can help the residents curb the menace,” said Kinaro.