Thika DCC orders lodgings to keep registers of all patrons booking for accommodation.

Thika West DCC Douglas Muriithi Mutai (left) and John Njuguna, the PA to Thika town MP Eng. Patrick Wainaina, leave Thika Stadium after the Madaraka Day celebrations on Friday.

Thika West Deputy County commissioner (DCC) Douglas Muriithi Mutai has ordered all bars and hotels within the sub-county to open and maintain a register showing all patrons booking for accommodations in their premises.

Speaking at the Thika Stadium during his first major public function since being transferred to Thika West Sub-County, the DCC said that the move was aimed at curbing insecurity in the region.

Mutai noted that, due to its proximity to Nairobi, Thika town was a prime target for criminals who might use it as a temporary accommodation as they planned to commit crime within the region.

He lamented about the high rate of drug abuse amongst the youth in the area, saying that it was a recipe to an increase in crime.

“We are appealing to the members of public to assist us with relevant information that will lead to the arrest of the main drug barons in this region. I am also declaring total war on all illicit alcohol brewers and those operating illegal betting machines as these are some of the causes of insecurity in this area,” said Mutai.

The DCC warned all occupying public land, road reserves as well as those illegally holding private land that his administration will deal with them ruthlessly with a view to curb the scourge of land grabbing which he admitted was very rampant in the region.

He asked the County Government of Kiambu to restore the street lights that were brought down along Kenyatta Highway as criminals had taken advantage of the resultant darkness to reign terror on innocent wananchi and traders around that area.

“As much as we agree that the beautification programme is good, the security of the citizens is paramount. Please restore those street lights as muggers have now taken advantage of the darkness to terrorise our people,” he said.

Addressing the same gathering, the Thika District Business Association (TDBA) Chairman Mr. Alfred Wanyoike urged the county government to review its strategy on the fight on illegal brews. He wondered how untrained youth could be entrusted with determining what brews were legal on not, adding that the exercise had now been turned into an exercise to harass and rob legitimate bar owners.

“How can these youth tell the difference between counterfeit beers from the real ones without any prior training on the same? They have now turned into thugs and are taking away legal beers from legitimate bars in the guise of fighting illicit brews which is unacceptable,” said Wanyoike.

Wanyoike also appealed to the devolved unit to ensure that there was proper garbage collection and disposal as the issue was now threatening public health.

Thika Town MP Eng. Patrick Wainaina, through his Personal Assistant (PA) Mr. John Mwangi Njuguna, said that the construction of the road projects he had promised will start soon now that the rains have subsided.

He appealed to all youth, women and self-help groups to take advantage of the available government funds to improve their economic status.

“Our office has received about 165 applications for the UWEZO Fund who will be awarded about Sh. 10 million and we are encouraging other groups to apply,” said Mwangi.

He extended an olive branch to those who, in the last general elections, were in different political camps with the MP, to come and work together for the ultimate benefit of the people of this constituency.

The Thika MP is currently on an official assignment abroad with the parliamentary committee on trade and industry.