Newstime Africa has established that the semi-fenced land surrounding the perimeter wall of Afraha stadium is now a haven of rapists, muggers and other sort of crimes. In the last one month alone, at least three women, one of them a school girl have been sexually assaulted there, reportedly by a gang that operates behind the “Russia” side of the stadium at night. Posing as homeless people and street boys who light bonfires and sleep there every night, the gang has now taken to accosting passersby from as early as 8.00pm.
Traders operating nearby say that the area has now become unsafe even for people coming late from work often assaulted and robbed of their valuables.
“Operating businesses in the evenings especially any time after 7pm is proving a challenge for one is risking a rape or an attack by the group.” Said one of the women operating merchandise along the afraha road.
We happened to take a walk at the area around 7pm and we realized a gang of the said streetboys have already turned the area into their home.
We were as well shown two identity cards of young ladies hanged at a nearby post, and the people operating around the area said that the IDs were collected at the field, a thing they say is a clear indication that the area is not a “so safe haven” during the nights.
Although people operating business along the area and also living there said that they have complained to the security departments severally, Nakuru OCPD Bernard Kioko when reached to comment on the same said he is not aware of such incidences.
“Numberless times we have complained to the security department in this town about the crimes and insecurity posed by the gang especially at night, we have even lodged complains with the municipality wanting security lights be erected in the entire area.” Said a resident who requested for anonymity due to fear of attack.
The director for Nakuru county Human Rights Network David Kuria Western has condemned acts of rape along the area and called on the relevant authorities to ensure security for the residents.
“Some people get out of their respective working places late in the evenings and owing to bad economy experienced in the county, some will always opt to walk to their respective homes, security should be stabalised to curb more such happenings.” Reiterated the human rights activist.
The officer in charge of operations in Rift Valley Willy Lugusa Ndagona during an interview with “The People” on the same issue he as well said that no one has reported such an incidence, but promised to investigate the matter.
“Now that you have informed us of such crimes, we are going to look into the matter squarely.” Assured Lugusa.
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