NCIC expresses concern over presence of criminal gangs in Nakuru

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has expressed its concern over the continued presence of criminal gangs in Nakuru two weeks before the general elections.

Despite moves by security agents to deal with the criminals, the commission termed the gangs as a threat and concern to the country.

This emerged in Naivasha when the commission launched a major peace caravan around Nakuru County which has been blacklisted as one of the hotspots in the country.

During the launch, the commission however lauded efforts made by the State in dealing with the gangs in major towns and election preparedness.

According to Commissioner Abduraziz Farah, they were keen on peaceful elections across the country and mainly in areas identified as hotspots.

He praised the security agents for efforts put in place mainly in areas identified as hotspots across the country and ahead of the general elections.

“We are grateful for the support and efforts from security agents but we are not taking chances as criminal gangs pose a threat in areas like Nakuru,” he said.

Farah admitted that a lot had been achieved since 2007 post-election violence mainly in Nakuru which saw hundreds displaced and others killed.

“In every election year we have seen families fleeing from Naivasha but we are happy that this has changed this year due to confidence instilled by security agents,” he said.

On his part, Wilson Manju from European Center for Electoral Support said that they were working closely with NCIC in the coming elections.

He said that they were keen on peaceful elections adding that they were working with the media at the grassroots levels in passing information to the public.

Manju challenged voters to conduct peaceful elections and campaigns noting that there would be a country even after the elections.

“We are supporting the National Cohesion and Integration Commission in this process of making sure that the country has peaceful elections,” he said.

Naivasha sub-county commissioner Mutua Kisilu termed the lakeside town as very peaceful due to several measures put in place ahead of the election.

He noted that unlike other years, no flower farm worker had fled the town due to peace campaigns and security measures put in place by the State.

“We have engaged the flower farmers and workers in various forums and according to the companies, we do not have any worker who is leaving his workplace this time round,” he said.