The Kisumu County Government has launched a special police unit that will deal with crime in slum areas.
Governor Jack Ranguma who launched the unit on Tuesday at his office said security is paramount for the growth of the county in terms of investments.
Ranguma said the unit will be able to penetrate all corners of the five slums in the city to fight criminal gangs that are terrorising locals.
He said investors will be ready to carry out a number of investments in the county once they are satisfied by the level of security in place.
“If security is guaranteed, then investors will come to Kisumu and our youth will get employment,” he said.
The governor said the unit will be on motorcycles that will enable them to respond in time to distress calls within the slums.
Ranguma announced that he will work closely with the national government to ensure the security of Kenyans is guaranteed.
He promised to avail resources for the purchase of more motorcycles to help bridge the gap shortage.
County commissioner Erastus Ekidor said the unit will largely concentrate in the slums where criminals are believed to be hiding.
Ekidor called for support from the locals to enable the unit to successfully conduct their work and restore security in the city.
“This team will be able to penetrate every corner of the slums because we believe most criminals terrorising residents hide in those areas,” he said.