Nairobi: Busia residents have been urged to abide by the laws of the country and stop bending the Constitution to suit their whims and individual interests. Speaking during the inauguration of Olepito Sub Location Assistant Chief, Reuben Ekeya, the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) of Teso South Sub-county, John Kichwen, noted with concern that a section of the residents had resorted to taking the law into their own hands by torching vehicles involved in road accidents along the Busia-Kisumu road.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kichwen condemned these actions, warning residents that such behaviors are against the law. He emphasized that during an accident, the priority should be to save lives rather than resorting to destructive actions like burning vehicles. He explained that such acts not only destroy evidence necessary for legal proceedings but also hinder justice for the affected individuals. Furthermore, Kichwen cited an incident where a crime suspect died after being beaten by a mob, highlighting the dangers of taking the law into one's own hands.
The DCC advised residents to report criminal suspects to the police, who are authorized to make arrests and take suspects to court. Additionally, Kichwen encouraged local residents to engage in legal business activities to avoid being exploited for illicit trade, such as transporting untaxed goods from Uganda. He stressed the importance of paying taxes for the development and provision of services to the community, warning against the illegal alcohol trade that is detrimental to the community's well-being.
Teso South Sub-county Police Commander, Francis Gachogi, urged residents to collaborate with security agencies by providing information to help fight crime. He pointed out that locals are more familiar with suspects and should share this knowledge with the police to ensure peace and security in the area. Gachogi praised some local youths who have abandoned crime in favor of agriculture, while warning remaining criminal elements of impending arrests.
In recent weeks, several incidents have occurred, including the burning of a public service vehicle in Matayos township after an accident, and the torching of a police vehicle at Busia Weighbridge following an accident involving a bodaboda operator and a bus. The most recent incident last Monday in Mundika involved residents setting fire to a car carrying contraband goods, which resulted in the deaths of three people.