We’re in danger, Muranga MCAs say

Members of the Murang’a county assembly are living in fear over what they term as continuous intimidation and threats to their security and personal properties.

This follows reports that some of them have been receiving threats for voting in favor of motion to have the governor Mwangi wa Iria removed from office.

Speaking to the press at the assembly, Kamacharia MCA Joseph Machiri said, following the impeachment, the members have more than once expressed concern pertaining insults, intimidation and threats to their security, personal properties and county assembly assets.

Machiri said over the past two weeks, one of the ward representative’s houses was stoned after receiving threatening messages and also his business premises was burned down by goons.

He said that this was a plot to intimidate the members who supported the motion adding that the threats are becoming intolerable and the matters is getting out of hand.

“On October 20^th 2015, the eve of governor’s impeachment motion, there was an attempted arson to the assembly particularly the speaker’s boardroom and the assembly van, on 21^st staff members could not access the assembly precincts since the main gate had been chained by unknown people,” Machiri said

Machiri added that on 7^th September, prior to the notice of the motion to impeach finance executive George Kamau, the assembly was under attack by suspected goons who tried to disrupt and halt the day’s business but police intervened and contained the situation.

The MCAs have now called upon the governor Wa Iria to clear his name on any involvement either directly or indirectly as he remained totally silent and did not condemn the heinous acts.

They at the same time want the Murang’a county commissioner Kula Hache and her team to enhance security and also said that they are not happy with the state of security.

‘It is three weeks down and the police have not been able to arrest any suspect, we are requesting them to take necessary steps on the culprits and we also call upon the governor and his supporters to desist from insulting leaders and residents,” Machiri noted

Gitugi MCA Duncan Njuguna said he was forced to relocate his family to undisclosed location in Nairobi after receiving threatening message on his life on 19^th of last month.

The message which read,”wewe jihadhari sana hiyo mdomo yako, tena sana Zaidi,”

Njuguna said he did not take the threat lightly and reported the matter to Murang’a CID where the officers launched investigations.

‘Our lives and properties have been threatened and we feel our families are not safe at all, we urge the police to take the threats seriously,” Njuguna said

Wangu ward MCA Isaac Kamote narrated how he was harassed and insulted by a governor supporter after they met on 24^th of last month on the road as he was driving to his home.

‘The supporter called me unprintable names threatening to beat me up and I reported to the police because I could not take the threats lightly but no action has been takenso far”, Kamote remarked.

They said that their duty is to oversight, adding that they will not be cowed and will continue doing as mandated by the constitution.

By Reuben wanyama

Woman commits suicide over witchcraft in Embu

A 36 years old woman in Embu County committed suicide after she wrote a note implicating her mother of witchcraft that has led to failure of her marriage.

Cathleen Muthoni Nyaga was on Friday found dangling in her house at Kigaa village by her 10 year old daughter.

  

Embu East Administration Police Commandant Charles Machinji said that the deceased has for a long time blamed her mother of witchcraft that she has used to fail her marriage.

Machinji said the woman and her mother had early on the day quarreled something that led Muthoni to take away her life.

The AP boss said that after seeking to know why the woman had decided to end her life police were informed that the woman has been returning home after marriages fail thus blaming her mother for it.

“After the quarrel the ten years old daughter arrived home from school and pushed the door only to find her mother dangling from the roof top and thus screamed, attracting the other family members”. Said Machinji

He further noted that incidents of suicide were on the rise in Runyenjes Sub County with victims ending their life from minor issues that could be solved by counseling.

He appealed to religious leaders and families within Runyenjes to device ways that will help save the situation since the number of residents dying by committing suicide were alarming.

The body was taken to Embu level five hospital mortuary with police commencing full investigation over the death.

This comes barely a week after five men were sentenced to death after they were found guilty of brutally killing an elderly woman over claims of witchcraft.
The five were accused of killing Ann Wanjiku five years ago at Kisumu Ndogo village in Kipipiri District in Central Province over allegations she was practicing witchcraft.
The court was told that Anthony Macharia, Simon Njuguna, John Karia, John Nganga and Peter Matheri, stormed the home of the deceased and beat her up before dragging her away while still alive.
By June this year world health organization unveiled the report which indicated that suicide kills more people than floods, earthquakes and all other forms of natural catastrophe, together with conflicts in places like Iraq and Somalia.
The report showed that globally, suicide is the second cause of death for young people aged 15 to 29 years. A random sampling of suicide cases in Africa revealed the deeply troubling fact that many victims are youth, still in their prime.

By Reuben Wanyama

Nyumba Kumi initiative has reduced crime rates, says task force

The national task force on Friday made it public that crime level in areas where community policing has been implemented has reduced up to 40 percent of crime cases.
The task force said Kenyans were now feeling secure as they had embraced the Nyumba Kumi model in the country.
The chairman of the Task force Joseph Kaguthi said close to 240,000 clusters had been formed and was helping improve the security to great levels.
"The small clusters commonly referred to as Nyumba Kumi are really working well and it’s upon other Kenyans to follow the new model". Kaguthi said
He noted that time was ripe for Kenyans to take up security matters as their own and stop over reliance on police if they were to secure their neighborhoods.
"We recently called a security meeting from the 290 constituencies and in areas where the model is being implemented, crime levels have reduced to between 30-40 percent". He said
The chairman was speaking to the press after a meeting with members of the Task force at Kenya wildlife training institute in Naivasha.
He said Kenyans who are practicing the model will also be given security education while security officers will also be trained on how to deal with criminal elements in the society.
"We want Kenyans to be vigilant at all times and this will be through the motto of “See say, Hear say, and Suspect say”, so that we can know what is happening".
Kaguthi who is also the former Provincial Commissioner said the Task force was being faced with several challenges and called on Kenyans to be calm as they come up with a policy document that will help advice on security issues.
He added that although they had succeeded in forming the clusters, more time was needed especially in schools where children are being radicalized.
"We know violent extremism is real in our schools and our next step is to speak with children teachers and the general public and this will take some time". He said
Urie Abdillai who is one of the members of the task force said that Kenyans will understand the nyumba kumi model with time and the goal of a secure neighborhood will be realized.
"What we need to do now is to manage perceptions amongst Kenyans and start believing that it can be done". Urie said.
Francis Sang said the task force had come up with two police documents that will help solve the security issues in the country.
"We have formulated the National crime prevention strategy and the community policing document and what is remaining is speaking to MPs so that they too can also help us implement them". Sang said

1500 sachets of illicit liquor seized in coffin at Malava border

Police at Malava border on Monday impounded illegal liquor (Waragi) that was nabbed in a coffin being transported on a pick-up worth millions of money.
Busia county commissioner Emmanuel Odhiambo said the capsule Pick up carrying about 1,500 sachets of foreign liquor was on its way to Nairobi from Mbale through Malava on Nairobi/Malava highway.
The police team intercepted the vehicle after they had got information that smugglers will smuggle liquor sachets in a coffin instead of normal crates.
Odhiambo said the Pick-up driver was asked to drive the car to the police check post barrier for verification of the documents before they are allowed to pass. It was at that point when the police succumbed to the illicit brew.

The police officer said the vehicle passed through Tororo town,Nagongera, Mulanda  town, Kisoko and Osukuru before reaching Malava border and No one noticed what the culprits were transporting.

It must be mentioned that sale of illicit liquor is banned in Kenya, the police and excise department under KRA had confiscated liquor consignments being transported to Bungoma along the same route early this year.
In similar case Police in Mt. Elgon Sub-County over the last two months have arrested over 40 people and impounded at least 2,800 litres of illicit local brew popularly known as busaa and another over 200 litres of the potent chang’aa brew, as law enforcers in the region step up the fight against illicit brews.

A major crackdown on the menace was launched in the two districts of Cheptais and Mt. Elgon in Bungoma County.

Mt. Elgon Divisional officer Philip Mbuvi said the war against illegal brews is still ongoing and warned those engaging in the vice that they will be dealt with accordingly.

Mbuvi said the operation has largely been successful because it has jointly been carried out by police officers and members of the local provincial administration.

“Village elders, assistant chiefs and chiefs have assisted in mapping the areas regarded major brewing hotspots, in their jurisdiction, it’s only a matter of time before security officers descend on all these areas,” said Mbuvi, who revealed that the major hotspots include Kongit, Kaptelelio, Bugaa and Kibuk areas.

According to the D.O  over 1 000 litres of busaa, 100 litres of chang’aa and 300 litres of Kangara that is used to make chang’aa  have so far been impounded by the police in Mt. Elgon District.
20 people from Kaptama and Kapsokwony Divisions that make up illict brew in the district have been arrested and taken to court.

Independent investigations have established that chang’aa drink that is packed in clear paper bags and sold in Busia and Bungoma County’s is majorly sourced from Uganda.

Students vacate Hostels amidst fear of Terror attack

Tension is high at Moi University Main Campus, after four students went missing. The four are allegedly said to have been radicalized to join the Al-shabaab Militia group that has been terrorizing the country.
Yester night, about 10 000 students spent their night away from their hostels, following rumors that the terror group had planned to Attack them.
Female students were seen carrying their belonging to where they termed safe.
“‘Its better I sleep outside than sit here and wait for death.” said Twince Korir
The University security officer said they had put in place security measures to help ease this tension but all has been in vain.
“Since Monday, the police have been patrolling throughout the institution and its premises, but the students are not content” the security officer said
This comes even as Mr. Abdi Hassan the County commissioner of Eldoret has revealed to the public that orphans are part of the targeted group with the perception that No one will defend them as well as students in institutions situated in North rift.
He said Eldoret has become easy target because of its high number of institutions of higher learning.
Moi university student organization chairman Jared Mogire expressed concern over the recent developments and called security officials to beef security at the institution.
He noted that they received information about the missing students in September, it is alleged that the four students were converted by two students from Wajir and Mandera counties.
“They are claimed to have converted the students in June this year and we are yet to know their motive,” He explained
Mr. Mogire asked students to be the vigilant even as the security officials investigate the matter.
The National University students’ organization (KNUSO) chairman Justin Safari stressed the need for the government to address the state of security in all institutions of higher learning.
The issue of terrorism in the country has been on the rise, since the year 2013 Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi.
In April 2015, Garissa University, a constituent college of Moi University was attacked by Al-shabaab militia, where 147 students lost their life.
One question that Moi University students are crying foul of is why them? Despite the security measures that the University has put in place, they still live in fear