By:Betty Luke
Isiolo County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga during a security baraza in Isiolo. PHOTO/Betty Luke
Isiolo County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga has ordered the transfer of all officers stationed at Isiolo Central Police Station following public outrage over growing concerns on insecurity following the fatal shooting of businesswoman Angelina Kananu on Monday evening.
The county head of security said the government had resolved to replace the entire team at the station as part of immediate measures to restore public confidence and improve security.
“We are working on addressing insecurity right away. Police officers and administrators must work and deliver what they are employed to do. They are paid by the government to serve wananchi,” he said.
The county commissioner admitted that some officers had failed in their responsibilities, saying the government would not tolerate negligence or misconduct within the security services.
“It is true there are officers who are not taking their work seriously. We will transfer all officers at Isiolo Central Police Station and deploy a completely new team. There is no way we will shield officers who are not serving citizens the right way,” Mwachaunga said.
He added that the same level of accountability would apply to National Government Administration Officers, urging residents to report chiefs or other administrators who failed to perform their duties.
“If there is a chief who is not delivering, tell us. The citizens are seeing what is happening, and they say you are not working, they are right,” he maintained.
Mwachaunga said the decision followed persistent complaints from residents that some officers at the station were not effectively responding to insecurity while officers in other areas were performing better.
“There is no way residents are saying officers from Central are not working while others are. We must deliver to the citizens.”
He also appealed to members of the public to support security agencies by providing credible information on criminal activities, assuring them that reports could be made anonymously without fear.
“We urge residents to volunteer proper and clear information to security agencies. Report criminals anonymously if necessary. We are committed to ensuring wananchi receive the security they deserve.”
The announcement came following concerns that officers were slow in responding to insecurity incidents few metres from the station.
Ms Kananu was shot dead in what police have termed as a ‘targeted’ attack moments after she closed her business premise near West Gate market in Isiolo town.
