Residents raise concerns on nights of terror
The Mountain Journal
Villagers in Karibaribi area of Thika constituency, Kiambu County are now living at the mercy of an armed gang that has been terrorizing them for the past one month.
The criminals are said to have been breaking into their homesteads at night stealing assorted items including food items, livestock and house appliances.
The armed crooks are also said to have been raiding shops stealing money among other items before fleeing using unnumbered motorbikes.
A tour in the area revealed that over 80 percent of homesteads within the scarcely populated but geographically expansive village have been affected by increased crimes that are now giving locals sleepless nights.
According to Wahito Wa Kariuki whose 10 sheep were recently stolen from their pen, the criminals could be using anesthetic drugs to sedate the unsuspecting residents as no one has ever been arrested or heard orchestrating the robbery.
Kariuki decried that the sheep which she thought would multiply to help her raise her children were all stolen in one night, a situation that impoverished her and made her lose taste in being a livestock farmer.
Speaking at her home, Kariuki lamented that despite a police post being a few meters from her home, nothing substantial has been done to contain the crime that has spread in the entire village.
“They stole the sheep I thought I would multiply to help me earn a living to easily bring up my children. They left me with nothing and I don’t know how to start again,” said Kariuki.
Wanjaria Njararuhi, another resident decried that despite locals having conducted security meetings in the area involving all stakeholders, enhancing the movement of police by buying them a motorbike and enhancing security at their homes by erecting security lights, the crime is still prevalent.
Njararuhi revealed that locals are now sleeping in shifts to guard their property from further damage and theft.
“They have stolen most of the livestock and farm items and the crime is still there. They might soon start stealing dogs as no one is willing to keep livestock any longer. We have bought special torches, installed security lights among other measures to tame the thieves. We are asking the government to come to our rescue now that we have exhausted most of the means,” said Njararuhi.
Zachary Munyambu, another resident narrated how the criminals raided her retail shop along the Thika-Magumu highway, tied her wife and area security guard before they stole unspecified amount of money.
“The criminals who had a gun tricked my wife who was outside the shop to sell them airtime. As she entered the shop, they followed her and tied her. A security guard at the premise who came to her rescue was also tied. They stole all they wanted including money, sodas among other items,” narrated Munyambu.
Tired of the increased crimes, the residents called on the government to swiftly come to their rescue to enable them go about their businesses smoothly.
