CS Kipchumba Murkomen Issues Warning to Trans Nzoia Criminals and Politicians Financing Them
- Goons and criminal gangs in Trans Nzoia have been asked to reform and soon face the full force of the law
- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said security agencies had already placed several members of the goons on their radar, and they will soon be arrested
- The CS also expressed concerns over the high rate of illicit liquor in the county and announced plans to deal with the matter
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Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised a red flag over the existence of goons and criminal gangs in Trans Nzoia county.
Source: Facebook
Murkomen said some of the goons were being financed by political leaders in the county.
Addressing the press at the Trans Nzoia county commissioner’s office in Kitale town on Monday, July 28, the CS said all the criminal gangs and hired goons in the county are already on the radar of security agencies.
He said anyone found to be a member of the gangs, together with their financiers, will be dealt with accordingly.
"Trans Nzoia has witnessed in the recent past a rise of politically generated and facilitated goons that are causing havoc in meetings, giving problems to law enforcement officers. Those gangs and goons and their financiers should change their ways before we catch up with them," Murkomen warned.
For the last few weeks, the county has witnessed several political meetings being disrupted by goons, the recent one being an event that was being hosted by County Woman Member of Parliament Lilian Siyoi.
Similar concerns had also been raised by Kiminini Member of Parliament Kakai Bisau, who warned that continued hooliganism would scare away investors.
Illicit alcohol menace in Trans Nzoia
Meanwhile, CS Murkomen expressed concerns over the high rate of illicit alcohol in the county. He blamed it on rogue police officers.
“There is a big problem in Trans Nzoia due to our proximity to Uganda. I am also sad to report that some security officers, including our national government officers incluidng chiefs, are colluding with dangerous traders who are selling these harmful drugs to our people. We will not allow that to continue. We will dismiss such officers and take them through proper disciplinary action," the CS stated.
The CS announced plans to conduct a sting operation aimed at ensuring all those colluding with the criminals are arrested and prosecuted.
Source: Facebook
He said the Inspector General of Police will soon deploy and special unit for the crackdown.
“We are not transferring anybody. Those linked to the criminals will be receiving their dismissal letters,” Murkomen said.
He also named land grabbing as another major area of concern within the county, which he blamed land and county officials for colluding with the perpetrators.
Murkomen directed the county security team to prepare a detailed report of all public and private land that had been grabbed.
Who owns land hosting Trans Nzoia county headquarters?
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that a former Member of Parliament claimed to be the legitimate owner of a land on which a newly opened Trans Nzoia county headquarters was constructed.
According to the former Rangwe legislator Phillip Okundi, he acquired the land in 1994 and has all the documents to prove ownership.
He said he was willing to negotiate with the county for compensation so that it continues to use the land for public use.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Joshua Cheloti (Editorial assistant) Joshua Cheloti is a multi-skilled journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication at Mount Kenya University. At TUKO, he's an editorial assistant. Before TUKO, he worked at Nairobi Review as an editorial writer, at Hope Media (Hope TV and Hope FM) as a correspondent in Eldoret, Hivisasa.com digital content editor and online writer, at Biblia Husema Broadcasting (BHB), Eldoret as Radio Presenter. Email: Joshua.cheloti@tuko.co.ke
Emanuel Tarus I am professional multi-media journalist with eight years experience as a field-based correspondent. Integrity, objectivity and adherence to ethical standards are my guiding principles in journalism. I am based in Trans Nzoia county and very passionate about gender, crime, environment and climate change reporting. I am also interested in health, human interest, development, leadership and governance beats. In the future, I would like to specialize in diplomacy and geopolitics reporting to expand my reporting scope.
