Garissa town is currently experiencing a significant rise in criminal activity, with local leaders highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Over the past two weeks, there has been an increase in cases of murder, muggings, and burglary. On a recent Saturday night, a woman was viciously stabbed and seriously injured by a grade 7 pupil on the outskirts of Garissa town. The minor attempted to steal the woman’s phone and was later apprehended by authorities.
Many of these crimes involve teenagers wielding machetes, knives, pangas, and sometimes even firearms. The situation has become so severe that businesses are now closing as early as 6 pm.
During an education event at Al-Amaar school in Iftin ward, Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed discussed the troubling trend with Senior Principal Chief Yussuf Sheikh. Local leaders have pointed out that parents in the community are either neglecting their responsibilities or shielding their delinquent children by failing to report them to the authorities.
Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane, Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed, and Senior Principal Chief Yussuf Sheikh have all expressed determination to change the status quo for criminals. They made these remarks during a graduation ceremony at Al-Amaar school in Iftin ward last Saturday.
Dekow Mohamed attributed the recent surge in crime to a combination of inadequate parenting and lax law enforcement. He emphasized that security is a collective responsibility that begins within households. Dekow urged the police not to hesitate in arresting parents who attempt to secure the release of their children arrested for criminal activities.
“As the area MP, I want to make it clear to our officers that anyone who tries to secure the release of their child or relative after they have been arrested for involvement in crime should themselves be arrested as accomplices. It’s as simple as that,” he declared.
Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane asserted that it’s time for the security apparatus to take tough action and restore order in the town, noting that many of those involved in criminal incidents are young boys who are still attending school.
Senior Principal Chief Yussuf Sheikh expressed dismay over the situation, emphasizing that many parents have completely neglected their parental duties. He criticized the lack of oversight where children leave home, change into civilian clothes, and then engage in terrorizing and robbing people.
Sheikh called upon those in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them to the police or local administrators voluntarily. He also mentioned an ongoing major operation, conducted jointly by the police and provincial administration, aimed at areas suspected of harboring illegal firearms.
“In the meantime, we have already apprehended and taken several suspects, including a grade 7 pupil who snatched a phone from a woman and stabbed her when she resisted. We are actively searching for his accomplices,” Sheikh confirmed.
Last week, Northeastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno chaired a security meeting and issued a stern warning to parents against attempting to secure the release of their criminal children through illicit means.
“I want to make it clear that no one should be released simply because someone has made a call or spoken to someone. If it is confirmed that suspects are being released on frivolous grounds after financial transactions, both the giver and the receiver are engaging in dangerous behavior,” he cautioned.
