By James Okoth.
Kisumu County Commissioner Mohammed Ramadhan has declared that criminal gangs and goons will not be allowed to operate anywhere within Kisumu County during his tenure.
“Resist goonism, and there will be no goonism in Kisumu,” Ramadhan said.
He spoke after a high-level County Security Committee meeting chaired jointly with Prof. Anyang Nyong’o, the Governor of Kisumu county; resolving to implement immediate and decisive measures to enhance public safety, strengthen surveillance and eliminate criminal elements across the county.
Reading a six-point joint county security committee communiqué, County Commissioner Mohammed Mwabudzo said the committee had resolved to regulate security at political meetings and public gatherings while eradicating goonism. He emphasized that the government would not condone the use of unregulated security groups and would continue providing adequate security, upon request, for lawful political functions and activities across the county.
“We will streamline the public transport sector and sensitize matatu operators to ensure the sector remains safe and accessible to all citizens. The county government, in close coordination with public transport SACCOs and national security agencies, will launch a joint operation to weed out criminal elements,” the communiqué stated.
Mwabudzo further announced that the County Government would revoke the licences and permits of businesses found to be involved in criminal activities. He added that intelligence gathering and proactive policing would be strengthened through the establishment of formal Village Security Committees and Neighbourhood Security Committees across the county.
According to the communiqué, the committees will serve as structured liaison mechanisms between local communities and national security agencies, helping to build public trust and ensure swift responses to emerging security threats at the grassroots level.
The council also resolved to leverage modern technology to enhance urban security. The County Government, working with the National Government, will deploy an expanded CCTV surveillance network, with high-definition cameras strategically installed in residential estates and key public areas to support real-time monitoring and aid law enforcement in identifying, tracking and prosecuting criminal offenders.
To address insecurity associated with poorly lit areas, the county government will accelerate the maintenance and installation of high-mast and street lighting. Priority will be given to crime hotspots, informal settlements and major transport corridors to improve public safety, deter crime and support economic activity during evening hours.
Mwabudzo reiterated that both the County Executive and the National Government security agencies would maintain a zero-tolerance approach to lawlessness.
“These resolutions take effect immediately, and implementation teams have already been deployed across all sub-counties to enforce the agreed measures,” he said.
The meeting was attended by the entire County Security Committee, including Kisumu Governor , members of the County Executive Committee, led by County Secretary Hesborn Hongo, and senior national government security officials.
