Interior and National Government Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. Kithure Kindiki has ordered the transfer of all police officers serving at the Isebania border post in a bold move to mitigate rising insecurity within and around the border.
The transfer follows heightened armed attacks and public violence that has left six people dead and property destroyed.
Speaking in Isebania, Kindiki regretted the act of ineptness by the security officers in the recent past.
He stressed that the police officers sent to defend the wananchi and their property had failed to do their jobs, which caused security breaches that the villagers blamed on the cops.
A businessman was killed by armed thugs who broke into the town last week in broad daylight, setting up a riot that left five residents dead after being shot by police.
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The police were forced to open fire on the large crowd after the locals attempted to attack the police station to protest the businessman's death, killing five people.
Speaking to the public, Kindiki announced that a new team of police officers had already been posted in the area to help restore peace and order.
.He was flanked by the local county commissioner (CC), David Gitonga, and the police commander, Mark Wanjala.
Kindiki further declared that all non-security employees working for the government in different departments will be replaced with other officers.
These include employees who have been recognised as having overstayed in their stations at the customs, KEBS, immigration, and anti-counterfeit departments.
“The government agenda going forward will be to summarily dismiss of non-performing police and non-police officers without transferring their problems elsewhere,” he said.
Kindiki said the state will not stop fighting the ongoing illicit trade, singling the illegal business of smuggling drugs, counterfeit goods and illicit ethanol from neighbouring Tanzania.
The CS, however urged the local community to stop fueling violence against security officers posted in the area, warning that the culprits would be punished severely if arrested.
