MIDRIFT-HURINET Archives » Famous Nakuru

December 17, 2020January 21, 2021

Community warned against harbouring criminals

Nakuru West Deputy County Commissioner Michael Lesimam has sounded stern warning to individuals harbouring criminal.

He said the eradication of criminal gangs in Nakuru will succeed if the community and neighbors agree to work closely with the security agents.

Lesimam added that the war on criminal groupings cannot be left to the security agents alone but is a collective responsibility.

He was speaking in Shabaab Ward, Nakuru West on Thursday during a stakeholders’ sensitization meeting on countering polarization, radicalization and extremism-a meeting that was organized by Nakuru based NGO MIDRIFT Human Rights Network.

The administrator noted that the majority of the members of the criminal groupings are people well known among neighbors hence the community should come out and help address the same.

“We have had challenges in addressing these criminal groupings simply because the society has not been willing to come out and speak yet they know them. We want to call on members of the public to help us in wiping out these groups by reporting” said Lesimam.

The DCC once again assures residents that the security agents in Nakuru are committed towards ensuring a peaceful society free of criminal gangs.

Walter Mwania from MIDRIFT Human Rights Network on his part reiterating the importance of sensitization of all stakeholders on matters countering polarization, radicalization and violence extremism.

Mwania who has been spearheading the sensitization forums in various sub counties in Nakuru on the same says the community should accept that the issue of youth radicalization is real in society.

He echoed the security agents’ message that stakeholders and community at large should come out and work towards eradicating and preventing such vises in society.

“We want the community to know that radicalization is real and that we should be alert to spot the indicators and prevent the same. We shall be going to all the 11 sub counties with the sensitization forums so that the community can be informed.

September 3, 2020

Human Rights defenders call for action to end unrest in Nessuit, Mariashoni

Human Rights defenders have joined hands in piling pressure on the Government to establish the political truth and solutions in the Mau Region, Nakuru and Narok counties.

In a statement issued in Nakuru on Thursday, the Human Rights defenders say the lives of the affected communities in Nakuru by the conflicts in Mauche, Nessuit and Mau Eco system will only come to normal if the government moves with speed to find a lasting solution.

According to the statement undersigned by affected communities, Midrift HURINET, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance as well as Freedom of Information Network, the conflicts on the border of Nakuru and Narok counties has continued to pose a challenge to the communities.

Led by Davis Malombe from Kenya Human Rights Commission, the Human Rights defenders together with the affected communities have cited lack of political goodwill as hindrance towards amicable solution in the conflicts.

“Lack of political goodwill has continued to hinder amicable solutions in the conflict prone areas such as Nessuit, Mariashoni and Ndoshua most affected” stated Malombe.

Muraya Wanyambugi from Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance adding that the conflicts can be traced back to historical injustices.

He cited that court actions have been there as communities try to seek Justice but all has been in vain with lack of title deeds still a challenge leading to the conflicts.

The conflicts according to the Human Rights defenders have led to forceful evictions, injuries in areas where there was excessive use of force by state.

They are now calling on the government to move with speed and find a lasting solution in the whole issue to avert more suffering of the communities.

Through recommendations read by Trizah Ombewa from Midrift HURINET, the Human Rights defenders want the affected families to commit to cessation of violence, peaceful and mutual co-existence.

National Cohesion and Integration Commission in collaboration with civil society should also ensure joint peace and justice committees to foster intercommunity peace.

They are also recommending the enactment of Nakuru County Peace Bill and implementation of Nakuru County Violence Prevention Policy especially on land issues.

The established taskforce on Mau Forest to look into issues has also been urged to present its findings and recommendations with immediate effect.

In addressing the issue of cut lines, the Human Rights defenders together with the affected communities say the government should come clear and separate settlement and forest land but in consideration of the affected families.

They have also called on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution to consider dropping charges perceived to be politically motivated and preferred against the affected communities.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority(IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights(KNCHR) have been called upon to consider investigations into the atrocities allegedly committed by the state security, administration and forest apparatus during the evictions and other operations.

Meanwhile, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has also been urged to investigate and prosecute the political elite allegedly inciting and dividing communities.While National Land Commission called upon to re-possess the land that was illegally and irregularly acquired by the undeserving elite.

November 7, 2018

Intersectoral collaboration paramount in urban violence prevention, says consultant

There is need for intersectoral collaboration in realizing prevention of urban violence within the major urban towns in the country.

Speaking in Nakuru on Tuesday during Placed – Based Leadership Development for Intersectoral Urban Violence Prevention forum, Dr. Rob Worrall-Placed-based Leadership Development consultant said the collaboration is paramount in addressing the challenges facing urban towns.

“The training is paramount in trying to equip with skills the leaders working towards urban violence prevention. So it is all about leadership in problem solving” said Dr.Worall.

The Consultant took through the participants (from various sectors among them health, security, Civil society and opinion leaders) on the understanding of social dynamics of urban centres.

The Place-based leadership Program is implemented by Midrift Human Rights Network (Midrift Hurinet) in partnership with DIGNITY – Danish Institute against Torture with focus in Nakuru and Naivasha municipalities.

The training forum in Nakuru and Naivasha Municipalities is also part of data collection and sharing on the same on violence in urban centres.

According to Dr.Worall, the data shared from intersectoral will also help develop a violence observatory.

He says the violence observatory will be a great tool towards reduction of violence in urban towns.

“We are also developing a violence observatory that will be a great tool towards reduction of violence in urban towns” he said.

PHOTO/Midrift Hurinet official facebook:Participants during Placed – Based Leadership Development for Intersectoral Urban Violence Prevention forum in Nakuru on November 6th 2018.