North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno has ordered security agencies in Garissa to conduct extensive operations to weed out criminals, vowing that he will not preside over a town overrun by juvenile gangs.

Over the past few months, Garissa town has experienced a surge in criminal activity perpetrated by knife-wielding young boys aged between 11 and 20.

Incidents of fatal stabbings, robberies, and daytime attacks have forced many local businesses to close early out of fear.

Speaking during a security meeting that brought together the County Commissioner, Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs and their assistants, and police commanders, Otieno reiterated the government's commitment to maintaining law and order, noting that all criminals would be arrested and made to face the law.

The Regional Commissioner further disclosed that security agencies had been conducting day and night patrols for the past week to flush out the gangs, adding that at least 140 suspects had already been arrested and arraigned in court.

"One of the security concerns we were addressing with the team here is the emergence of juvenile criminal gangs in Garissa town. It is a serious issue, and we are reviewing whether the measures we have put in place are yielding the desired results. We have organised comprehensive operations in this town, and our security personnel are conducting both night and day operations to apprehend suspected criminals who are roaming the town snatching mobile phones from residents, using knives to inflict harm, and others using pangas," Otieno said.

"As we speak, the operation that has been running for the past week or so has enabled us to arrest over 140 suspects who have been arraigned before court. The operation is still ongoing until the security situation in Garissa town is convincingly stable," he added.

At the same time, Otieno warned that without adequate security, the town would not realise its development potential, as businesspeople and investors continue to close their businesses out of fear of attacks and robberies.

"Security is a prerequisite for development. Without security, we will not realise development, and therefore, for us to be able to talk about development, we must make sure the security of the county is top-notch," he said.

"A lot will be done so that people in this town can operate without fear of being attacked. There is no reason whatsoever why people should live in fear, or why we should have criminal gangs marauding within the town. When you look around, we have so many officers with crowns—a symbol of authority—and yet gangs are walking around with knives," he added.