Residents of Teso South protest rising crime and killings
In Teso South Constituency of Busia County, angry residents recently took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration against a sharp surge in violent crime and murders.
The protest, which began at Simba Chai market, passed through Kotur village, and ended at Amukura police station, highlighted growing fears over repeated attacks, particularly on security guards. Over the past week, four watchmen have been killed by armed thugs, while shops have been broken into and goods stolen, marking an escalation from earlier livestock thefts to more deadly assaults on bodaboda riders and night watch personnel.
Led in part by area MP Mary Emase, the demonstrators expressed deep frustration with the local security apparatus, accusing officers of inaction even when crimes occur close to police posts. They issued a stern 24-hour ultimatum to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, demanding the immediate transfer of all police officers in the area and a boost in security resources, including more patrol vehicles and personnel. The lawmaker echoed calls for stronger measures to restore safety and protect vulnerable residents from the ongoing wave of lawlessness.
Local authorities, including Sub-County Commissioner Said Abdallah Mwamzungu and Police Commander Christopher Wesonga, responded by assuring the crowd that suspects would soon be arrested. They revealed that investigators had recovered CCTV footage and a SIM card linked to the crimes, which are now under analysis to help identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The protest underscored the community's desperation for urgent action to curb the insecurity gripping the region.
