West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has come up with an ingenious formula of dealing with rising crime in towns in the area.
The county head stated he had been concerned with the increased cases of car theft in the area especially ‘Toyota Probox’ make.
Speaking to the public over the weekend, the governor revealed that he had given the street children his phone number for them to report any insecurity case they witness.
Lonyangapuo went on to state that he would receive phone calls even in the middle of the night, then pass the information to the county police commandant for action to be taken.
“Kuna watu fulani wanaiba probox, nikatoa ultimatum na nikatumia hii watu ya chokoraa, hawa mnaita born tao, nikawaambia wanipe siri, wananipigia simu saa tisa usiku halafu tunaambia county commissioner na police commander na OCS na OCPD iko mtu mahali (There are people who are stealing proboxes in the area so I gave an ultimatum and I used these street children to give me the secrets, they call me at 3 am then I talk to the county commissioner, police commander, OCS and OCPD),” the Governor stated.
The governor also criticised the government over suspected extrajudicial killings stating that they should endeavor to rehabilitate the suspects rather than killing them.
He also blamed the devil for all the criminal elements in the county quoting the bible where it states that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.
While speaking to the residents, he urged them to forget about the 2017 politics, focus on development and make sure they love each other as neighbours.
He admitted to making his patrols personally in the middle of the night to ensure that peace prevails.
“Mimi natembea hapa usiku saa saba saa zile mmelala nyinyi na ile amani iko hapa ni tele (I patrol this place at night when you are all asleep and there is peace),” Lonyangapuo added.
The county head urged the residents to embrace his projects to ensure the county becomes a role model to the rest of the country.
Below is the video courtesy of NTV Kenya:
