Elizabeth Awuor, a resident of Garissa, speaking to the press
outside the Garissa police station. Photo/ Stephen Astariko.
Chripinus Otwane, a resident of Garissa speaking to the outside the Garissa police station.
Paul Omuhati a bodaboda operator, speaking to the press./Photo/
Stephen AstarikoHundreds of Garissa residents on Sunday poured into the streets to protest against rising insecurity that has gripped the town in recent weeks.
The situation, locals say, has become unbearable—with barely a day passing without reports of muggings, stabbings, or violent robberies. Victims are often left nursing serious injuries or, in some cases, dead.
A police officer told reporters that at least ten people had been attacked in the past five days, mostly on the outskirts of Garissa town.
The most recent incident occurred on Friday evening when Hillary Ochieng, a lecturer at the Garissa Teachers Training College, was fatally stabbed at Bula Mzuri around 6:30 p.m.
Eyewitnesses said Ochieng was approached by two young men posing as clients. One of them suddenly stabbed him in the chest before the pair fled without taking anything. Good Samaritans rushed him to Garissa County Referral Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The killing sparked outrage across the town, prompting hundreds of residents—among them teachers, boda boda riders, and other locals—to hold peaceful demonstrations demanding justice. They carried placards and tree branches bearing messages such as “Justice for Ochieng,” accusing police of laxity in dealing with rising crime.
The demonstrators marched to the Garissa Police Station, but no officer came out to address them.
Speaking outside the station, Elizabeth Awuor, a teacher, described Ochieng’s death as heartbreaking.
“I am really pained by the death of my fellow teacher. A young man who came all the way to impart knowledge to his students is now going back home in a coffin. It is heartbreaking. We cannot remain silent as criminals continue to terrorise residents with impunity. The safety and security of every citizen must be a top priority,” she said.
Another teacher, Cynthia Hanta, questioned why police have taken so long to apprehend the gangs that continue to terrorise residents.
“Surely, for how long should we continue losing lives for the police to act? We are losing innocent people every other day, and yet the concerned authorities are taking no action. Who is supposed to protect us if not the government?” she asked.
Joakim Omondi, also a teacher, lamented that suspects are often arrested and released shortly after, encouraging a culture of impunity.
“We have had cases where well-known suspects are arrested and taken to court, but after a short period, they are released and go back to terrorising citizens. If this is not encouraging criminal behaviour, then what is?” he wondered.
Paul Omuhati, a boda boda operator, said the gangs often disguise themselves as passengers before attacking riders.
“These heinous acts are part of a growing trend of lawlessness that is instilling fear, disrupting livelihoods, and eroding our sense of safety. Many of my colleagues have fallen victim,” he said.
Dismus Ochieng, another resident, called on the government to deploy more security personnel to hotspot areas and ensure swift arrests and prosecutions.
“We are calling upon the National Police Service and local security agencies to intensify patrols, investigations, and intelligence-led operations to restore public confidence and security. Garissa must not be left to the mercy of criminals,” he said.
An administrator at Garissa County Referral Hospital, who requested anonymity, confirmed that cases of stab wound victims have been on the rise in recent months.
On Friday, Garissa University Vice-Chancellor Ahmed Warfa also expressed concern over growing insecurity, saying students have increasingly fallen prey to criminals, with some injured and others robbed of their belongings.
Residents say enough is enough—and they want immediate action to restore peace to the troubled town.
