Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a crackdown on boda boda gangs in Vihiga County.
In a statement on Saturday, September 6, Murkomen claimed that politicians and other individuals have taken advantage of the growing motorcycle gang culture in Vihiga County to disrupt traffic and funerals.
Murkomen, who, however, described Vihiga's security situation as relatively peaceful compared to other counties in Western Kenya, claimed that swift intervention will prevent the gangs from escalating into a major security concern.
"Though political thuggery and gang problems are not widespread in the county, there is a growing motorcycle gang culture in the county," Murkomen said.
"They disrupt traffic and funerals and carry out robberies to finance their activities. The groups will be targeted in our impending crackdown to ensure they don't morph into a more serious threat," he added.
Murkomen further claimed that security agencies in Vihiga will also launch a crackdown targeting drug traffickers who have been supplying drugs in towns and schools in the county.
Murkomen claimed that drug abuse in the county, especially marijuana, has significantly increased cases of mental health conditions in the county, which has, in turn, decreased the economic productivity of residents.
In addition to sensitising residents of the county to the health disadvantages of drugs, security agencies will also incorporate students and the administrations of colleges and universities to help in the fight against drugs in tertiary institutions.
"Vihiga County is a rich agricultural county and a key tourism and cultural heartbeat of the Western Kenya Region. The county is relatively peaceful with minimal security challenges compared to the other 3 counties in the region," Murkomen said.
"However, it has a deep-rooted problem of marijuana use that needs urgent intervention. The problem is so severe that, as a result, cases of mental health conditions are more prevalent in the county," he added.
The announcement comes just days after the Interior CS claimed that security agencies have launched a major operation in Nairobi CBD against gangs, who have been robbing unwitting Kenyans.
Murkomen, who was speaking during a Jukwaa la Usalama in Bungoma on Thursday, September 4, claimed that the majority of the attacks are being coordinated by street children who have been forming organised groups.
“I want to confirm with you that operations are ongoing and they will continue. They should not wait for directives from Nairobi," he added.
