Murkomen cautions North Rift farmers to be wary of sex workers ahead of maize harvest
CS says influx of prostitutes during the harvest season is part of a calculated ploy to take advantage of their sudden riches
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned farmers in the North Rift region to check against being taken advantage of by sex workers and criminals posing as visitors as the maize harvesting season nears.
Speaking while in West Pokot on Thursday, Murkomen claimed that there are long-standing social and criminal activities that resurface during the harvest period, with farmers being defrauded of their hard-earned money.
“Around harvesting time, some characters come into this town and defraud men. People are being targeted for their wealth,” Murkomen said.
The CS cautioned that the influx of such individuals during harvest season is part of a calculated ploy to exploit farmers’ sudden riches.
According to Murkomen, this exploitation is deeply linked to organised crime, which takes advantage of the seasonal wealth circulating in the region.
“What is important is for us to deal with it decisively. We have discussed some strategies with the team on how to move forward,” he emphasised.
Murkomen also hinted that the matter could soon warrant national-level attention, saying the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the Director of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin may have to deploy a special investigation team to crack down on the syndicates once and for all.
“As to whether a few people are being taken to court or not, I have no information that way,” he stated.
He urged law enforcement agencies to strengthen local monitoring mechanisms and ensure farmers are protected from social and financial exploitation.
“The Director of Criminal Investigations might have to send a special investigation team to once and for all crack the issue,” he added.
