Residents of Amagoro in Busia on Wednesday shared a platform with officers from the National Police Service, raising pressing concerns affecting their security and social welfare.
They highlighted issues of rising theft, drug abuse, food insecurity, and fraud.
The residents spoke during a baraza convened by Amagoro chief Joel Omachar.
Residents accused some politicians of shielding youths involved in crime and influencing the release of those arrested for petty offences.
They urged the police to investigate allegations of bhang trafficking and rampant gambling among youths in the location.
Clan elder Patrick Okune said Nyumba Kumi members often face difficulties identifying and arresting suspects without police support.
Okune, a member of the Nyumba Kumi initiative, narrated how thugs attacked his home and stole several household items, including phones and a radio.
Businessman George Ndoto also recounted how his cockerel, valued at Sh2,000, was stolen in broad daylight, saying he would have slaughtered it for his grandchildren to eat if he had suspected it would be stolen.
Amagoro Welfare chairman Geoffrey Sangalo warned residents about fraudsters infiltrating welfare groups and conning unsuspecting members.
The baraza brought together local leaders, residents and officers from the National Police Service, led by Teso North subcounty police commander Charles Chepkong’a and officer Cynthia Nyaboke.
Nyaboke emphasised the importance of cooperation between residents and security agencies to succeed in the war on crime.
She urged residents to report criminal incidents to the police for investigation instead of only posting them on social media groups such as “Usalama Amagoro”.
“Residents have a tendency of posting their problems on WhatsApp platforms but fail to report the cases to police. Police can only act on reports made to them, apart from crimes committed in their presence,” she said.
The officer also faulted some families for employing domestic workers without proper documentation and background checks, saying tracing suspects becomes difficult after criminal incidents.
Representing Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, Kenas Odikor used the forum to announce plans to conduct a mass registration exercise for national identity cards targeting persons above 18 years without IDs, as well as women and elders aged 45 years and above.
He said 30 residents had already acquired the documents through the initiative.
Omachar also announced that four scholarship opportunities were available for residents interested in studying at Chamasiri Technical Training Institute.
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