Kisumu,1st July 2026 -Kisumu County and the National Government have unveiled a joint security action plan aimed at dismantling goonism, tighten surveillance, and restore public confidence amid rising insecurity in the lakeside city.
The resolutions were announced after a high-level security meeting co-chaired by Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o and County Commissioner Mohammed Mwabudzo, bringing together county executives and the County Security Committee.
County Commissioner Mwabudzo emphasised that the measures take effect immediately and target criminal networks linked to political gatherings, the public transport sector, and businesses.
“Following a high-level county security meeting co-chaired by the Governor and the County Commissioner, the joint council has resolved to implement immediate, decisive measures to enhance public safety, upscale surveillance, and eliminate criminal elements across the county,” Mwabudzo said during a media briefing at city hall.
He added that the security committee will no longer tolerate unregulated groups providing security at public events. “The County Security Committee does not condone unregulated security and commits to provide adequate security, on request, for functions and activities across the county.”
Some of the key resolutions agreed upon include undertaking joint operation to flush criminal elements out of the matatu sector, withdrawal of business permits for enterprises linked to crime, and establishment of village and neighbourhood security committees to strengthen community policing.
The deployment of an expanded CCTV surveillance network within the city and its environs, and accelerated rehabilitation of street lighting in crime-prone areas also formed part of the measures.
With incessant calls by residents, leaders and various stakeholders, the county security committee assured that they will soon convene a security summit bringing together political leaders to address the culture of hiring gangs during political activities. “Goonism will be a main agenda item at the summit.”
Governor Nyong’o said political competition should no longer be associated with intimidation and violence, noting that recent public events had been held peacefully without gangs.
“It is high time we look at politics as a way of bringing development and not necessarily creating threats against one another. Kisumu County has enough security which can be provided, on request, for all political gatherings,” he said.
On infrastructure, City Manager Abala Wanga said the county has identified 11 dark spots where lighting will be restored immediately. A larger project later this year will see more than 1,500 solar street lights integrated with CCTV cameras installed across the city.
Both levels of government expressed confidence that the coordinated measures will curb lawlessness, improve intelligence gathering, and make the city safer for residents and businesses.
