Hundreds of Garissa residents took to the streets to demonstrate over the escalating cases of insecurity that have plagued the town in recent weeks.
According to residents who spoke to K24 digital so bad the situation is that a day barely ends without a case of a person being attacked, robbed of his or her valuables, after which they are either left for dead or with serious injuries, mostly through stab wounds.
Elizabeth Awuor, a teacher speaking to the press outside the Garissa police station, said that it was unfortunate the manner in which his life was snatched away, calling on the government to swiftly move and arrest the criminals.
“I am really pained by the death of my fellow teacher. A young man who come all the way to impart knowledge to his students is now going back home in a coffin. It is heartbreaking. We cannot remain silent as criminals continue to terrorize residents with impunity. The safety and security of every citizen must be a top priority,” Awuor told K24 Digital on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
Incidentally, Cyntia Hanta, another teacher, wondered why it had taken the security apparatus so long to apprehend the criminals, mostly young boys who had been terrorizing people for a long time.
“Surely for how long should we continue losing lives for the police to act. We are losing the lives of innocent people every other day, and yet no action is being taken by the concerned authorities. Who is supposed to protect us is not the government,” she quipped.
Joakim Omondi, also a teacher, regretted that in most cases, the suspects are apprehended and taken to court, but later released on police bond, saying that this has emboldened the criminals to continue with criminal acts.
“We have had cases where well-known suspects involved in these criminals are arrested and taken to court. But after a short period, they are released, and they go back to terrorizing citizens. If this is not encouraging criminal behavior to thrice in society, what is it?” Omondi appealed.
Insecurity in Garissa
On his part, Paul Omuhati, a bodaboda rider, said Omondi’s case was not isolated, disclosing that his colleagues have been victims of the gangs, saying that their pleas to the security apparatus to act have fallen on deaf ears.
He said that the criminals mostly walk in or position themselves in strategic locations before pouncing on unsuspecting bodabodas or disguise themselves as clients before attacking them later.
“These heinous acts are not isolated incidents. They are part of a growing trend of lawlessness that is instilling fear, disrupting livelihoods, and eroding the sense of safety in our communities. My bodabodas have been victims of these criminals,” he said.
Dismus Ochieng, another resident, urged the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomento deploy additional security personnel to hotspot areas and ensure swift arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators.
“We are calling upon the National Police Service and local security agencies to intensify patrols, investigations, and intelligence-led operations to restore public confidence and security. Garissa must not be left to the mercy of criminals. We demand immediate action. Our lives and our future depend on it,” Ochieng said.
