Residents of Ngegu, Turitu and Kanyonga villages in Ndumberi Ward Kiambu County are appealing to the government to intensify security and crackdown on a gang they say is terrorising them.
Speaking on Thursday, the locals said that they are living in fear as the alleged gang continues to cause havoc in the villages. The locals claim that the gang operate openly and is armed with crude weapons.
According to locals, despite their persistent complaints to security officials in the area nothing is being done.
Amos Mburu, a casual worker based at Turitu village says that their security is no longer guaranteed. Mburu claimed that despite the presence of some police officers in the area crime activities remain high.
“The government should deploy more police in this area in order to address rising insecurity,” he said.
Simon Ngugi, a bodaboda operator at Ndumberi trading centre said that a gang has been robbing residents even in day broad light.
“These criminals operate mainly during morning and evening hours when people are going to work and living work,” he said.
The bodaboda operator claimed that several of his colleagues have been attacked and robbed of money and motorbikes. The recent case of crime according to locals is where a journalist with a leading Media House was attacked and robbed on Wednesday night at Ndumberi trading centre.
Anne Wanjiku, an M-Pesa operator at Ndumberi shopping centre said that she was accosted on Tuesday evening by three men who demeaned money from her.
“I was walking home at around 6 pm when three men from nowhere ambushed me and demanded money,” she said, adding that the gang robbed her of Sh10,000 and a mobile phone.
The locals now want the Kiambu County commissioner to intervene over the rising cases of insecurity.
On Monday, Kiambu County commissioner Alex Nkoyo asked security officers to intensify patrols and deal with criminal elements.
Nkoyo who spoke from his office said security will be streamlined in the county.