Kisumu County Commissioner Mohammed Ramadhan Mwabudzo has issued a stern warning to criminal gangs terrorising residents, declaring that their days are numbered as security agencies intensify a sweeping crackdown across the county.
Speaking to journalists during the destruction of counterfeit and contraband goods at the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) in Kibos on Tuesday, Mwabudzo said the government would not relent until all criminal gangs operating within Kisumu are dismantled.
He revealed that eight suspects linked to criminal activities in Kisumu East Sub-County have already been arrested and arraigned in court, while others who went into hiding are being pursued by security agencies.
Mwabudzo urged individuals involved in gang-related activities to abandon crime and seek lawful means of earning a living, warning that security officers would spare no one.
“We are warning goons in Kisumu that your time is over. Look for an alternative livelihood because we don’t care who is sponsoring you. You cannot continue giving residents sleepless nights. We will not sit back and keep explaining why innocent people are being harassed,” he said.
The County Commissioner described Kisumu as a peaceful and investor-friendly city whose reputation must be protected at all costs. He vowed that security agencies would eliminate criminal gangs by the end of July and appealed to residents to volunteer information that could help police track down offenders.
Mwabudzo assured members of the public that the identities of whistleblowers would remain confidential, encouraging residents to work closely with security agencies in restoring law and order.
He also warned politicians accused of sponsoring criminal gangs for political purposes, saying the government would not shield anyone found financing or harbouring goons.
“Walking around with gangs for political influence is an outdated tactic. Anyone found sponsoring criminals will face the full force of the law,” he warned.
On the fight against counterfeit products, Mwabudzo said the government, working jointly with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), would intensify operations against fake and substandard goods.
He said products that fail to meet the country’s safety and quality standards pose serious health risks to consumers and undermine legitimate businesses.
“We will not tolerate goods that do not meet the required standards. Cheap and illicit alcohol, counterfeit products and all fake goods will continue to be seized. Our responsibility is to protect consumers and manufacturers who produce quality products,” he said.
KRA officer Nancy Chemutai disclosed that the destroyed counterfeit goods were valued at approximately KSh100 million.
She said the consignment included counterfeit alcoholic beverages, bottled water, cigarettes and soft drinks, all of which were unfit for human consumption.
Chemutai said the destruction exercise demonstrates KRA’s commitment to protecting public health, safeguarding government revenue and shielding genuine manufacturers and importers from unfair competition.
“This exercise reflects KRA’s commitment to ensuring illicit products do not find their way into the market. These goods are not fit for human consumption. We are protecting local manufacturers and genuine importers from unfair competition by counterfeit products,” she said.
She added that KRA and other enforcement agencies are investigating the sources of the counterfeit products and those responsible for importing or manufacturing them.
“We want Kenyans to consume only legitimate products. This operation does not end here. We will continue pursuing those behind the manufacture, importation and distribution of counterfeit goods until the trade is eliminated,” Chemutai said.
