County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo has directed that all Airbnbs be closed over rising crime rates.
The Kisumu commissioner has ordered that the establishments be closed for a period of 30 days.
Moreover, authorities in Kisumu will be increasing night patrols across the county to prevent rising cases of insecurity.
Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga and County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo made the announcement on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
Moreover, owners of the short-term rental establishments have been directed to register their premises afresh before being issued with new operational licenses.
Also Read: Cabinet Approves 5 New Rules for Airbnb
Additional Orders Given to Airbnbs Operators
According to Abala, operators will get licenses only if their apartments are located in a secure neighbourhood, have a visitors’ registration desk, security guards and Close Circuit Television cameras (CCTVs).
Further, he noted that the move will enable the county government to monitor operations of the establishments which are believed to accommodate criminals terrorising residents.
On the other hand, all hotels, bars, restaurants and business premises, have been directed to install CCTV cameras with a range of 50-100 metres to ensure surveillance.
The announcement was made as the crackdown on runaway crime in the area continues.
Also Read: Airbnb Announces Changes on Use of CCTV Cameras
Other Orders Made by Kisumu Counties
At the same time, the Kisumu city manager has banned boda boda operations in Milimani estate.
He explained that the businesspeople have been on several cases dropped in cases of muggings and attacks at around 6.00 pm targeting residents returning home from work.
Consequently, fresh registration of boda boda operators will be conducted in November for effective monitoring.
Nyamasaria, Mowlem, Riat, Mamboleo, Tom Mboya, Milimani and Kisian are locations that have been targetted by the criminals.
Also, the city inspectorate has established a command centre where all the CCTV cameras would be monitored for effective response.
The announcement followed the arrest of a wanted murder suspect Oliver Ochieng Jaoko, also known as Olivert.
The suspect according to DCI, hacked to death two individuals at Kibuye Market in Kisumu over income made from five washrooms.
“Ochieng’s arrest comes in the wake of his involvement in the brutal hacking to death of Evans Opiyo and Mohammed Saleh on July 1, 2024, at Kibuye Market over a dispute that erupted over the control of proceeds from five washrooms at the bustling market.
“Ochieng vanished into the shadows, evading capture. A manhunt was launched, and acting on a tip-off, he was smoked out of his hideout in Manyatta area and apprehended,” a statement from the directorate read in part.
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