Embu residents decry rising cases of insecurity

In a recent ambush by unknown assailants, a businessman Geoffrey Mwangi was shot multiple times on his way home after work.

In the last Monday's incident, Mwangi who was in the company of a male friend was driving home when his car got blocked by a pickup around Matakari area where the assailants sprayed his car with bullets leaving him with serious injuries - he was rushed to Embu Referral Hospital and later transferred to Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi.

Speaking about the incident, Embu West Sub-County police boss, Julius Kyumbule said that investigation had commenced and they are pursuing the gangsters.

"The attackers left without stealing from the trader, and we have commenced investigations to establish why the victim was shot,” noted Kyumbule.

Traders in the area condemned the attack and asked the police to move with speed to bring the culprits to book.

"We want to know those who attacked Mwangi, and why they did so,” said Kanyi Maina.

In not long ago, another businessman by the name Mbae was also accosted by unknown people in Dallas (a residential estate in Embu), and shot multiple times in his car - a fatal case reported in June.

"This is not the only case, about two or so months ago, Mbae was also shot and killed in Dallas. Till to date, we don't know who killed him and why. Security in this area has been deteriorating by the day,” said one bodaboda operator.

Security situation has now become a big concern to the business community as is explained by chairman of Embu branch of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, John Mate.

"We are all living in fear now following the recent invasion of the region by criminals. Our shops are being broken into and property worth millions being looted. The situation is not very good as this is scaring potential investors away. No one would want to invest in an area with no security.

“We are appealing to the area police to scale up their security operations and restore order so that businesses and safety can thrive."