Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered security agencies to crack down on emerging boda boda gangs in Vihiga County, warning that they are increasingly being used to disrupt public order.
In a statement on Saturday, September 6, Murkomen noted that while Vihiga is largely peaceful compared to other counties in Western Kenya, a growing motorcycle gang culture is beginning to pose security concerns.
“Though political thuggery and gang problems are not widespread in the county, there is a growing motorcycle gang culture. They disrupt traffic and funerals and carry out robberies to finance their activities. These groups will be targeted in our impending crackdown to ensure they don’t morph into a more serious threat,” he said.
Murkomen added that security agencies will also be going after drug traffickers accused of supplying narcotics to schools and towns in the county.
He warned that marijuana abuse has worsened mental health cases in Vihiga, lowering the county’s productivity.
“To deal with this, we will sensitise residents on the dangers of drugs, while also working with students, colleges and universities to fight the problem from within learning institutions,” he explained.
The CS described Vihiga as a rich agricultural and cultural hub but warned that the deep-rooted drug problem requires urgent intervention.
The announcement comes just days after Murkomen revealed that a separate crackdown is underway in Nairobi’s CBD, targeting gangs behind rising cases of robbery.
Speaking during a Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Bungoma on Thursday, September 4, he said most of the attacks in Nairobi were being coordinated by organised groups formed by street children.
“I want to confirm with you that operations are ongoing and they will continue. They should not wait for directives from Nairobi,” Murkomen said.