Sende Moto: The Nyandarua sin city rattling county, administration officials
The Nyandarua County Government has launched an aggressive campaign to restore order in the notorious Sende Moto estate in Engineer town, Kinangop constituency, a hub for illicit drugs, violent crimes, and an underground world of immorality.
Despite past religious efforts including a name change to Kirathimo Village (meaning “blessed village”), the estate continues to spiral into chaos, with residents now openly speaking out after years of silent acceptance.
Years of silent acceptance by residents have given way to open discussions about the escalating violence, murders, and lawlessness in the area.
And with unresolved killings, violent muggings, and the rise of criminal gangs, locals are now openly expressing their concerns, albeit with visible fear of retaliation either from criminals or security agents.
The situation has been dire for years, with Sende Moto’s name drawing comparisons to the biblical Sodom and Gomorrah due to the rampant immorality and crime.
Residents describe the estate as a place where the lawless lifestyle has been normalised, and outsiders are treated with suspicion. However, recent events have pushed the community to the brink, as they demand action from authorities.
In 2023 alone, five murders have been reported in the estate, with the latest incident sparking renewed outrage. Peter Mwangi 31, was found brutally murdered last week with his mutilated body discovered within the estate.
Residents say Mwangi who is a casual labourer was killed on his way home from work, despite having no known ties to the criminal activities in the area.
“The insecurity is worsened by a lack of street lights within the estate. It’s a very dark place at night with shrubs and bushes that provide cover for criminals to hide and waylay their victims,” said Ms Stella Wakonyo, a resident.
Denis Kariuki, another resident, expressed concern over the rising population of idlers and criminals in the estate, adding that the situation has worsened over the past three months.
“The cases of men being kidnapped and sexually assaulted in the dark corners of the estate are on the rise, and so are the mugging incidents and robberies. It’s affecting businesses in Engineer Town, especially since the town’s elevation to municipality status brought new development. Engineer is a great place to do business, but criminals scare away investors,” said Kariuki.
Governor Kiarie Badilisha has taken a strong stance against the situation in Sende Moto, accusing the local police of being complicit in the crime. He argues that it is impossible for such crimes to continue with a police station located just 100 meters from the estate unless law enforcement officers are involved.
“We will not allow Nyandarua to be the dumping ground for lazy and corrupt police officers. The lives we have lost are not the lives of sheep, goats, or livestock — they were human lives. Sende Moto is just a few meters from Engineer Police Station, and we refuse to host greedy officers who enrich themselves by taking bribes from illicit traders,” said an infuriated Governor Badilisha during a visit to console the family of the murder victim Mwangi.
The governor called for the transfer of all current police officers in the area and demanded a fresh team of security agents to handle the crime situation more effectively. He also directed the immediate closure of all bars within the estate, urging police to deal mercilessly with illicit brew traders and drug dealers.
“Why have these crimes continued for years while the police station is so close? We all know why. It’s time for a total overhaul. We need officers who will help eliminate this menace and support the county government’s initiatives in Sende Moto,” the governor stated.
Nyandarua County Police Commander Omar Arero refuted claims that the police are complicit in the crimes.
He assured residents that investigations into the murders and other crimes are ongoing, with DCI officers taking the lead in resolving the cases.
“The crime rate in Engineer has dropped, but we will focus on Sende Moto. Investigations into the recent murder show that Peter Mwangi was strangled and dumped in a river. We suspect it was a family dispute over land, but we are still investigating,” said Arero.
The government’s crackdown on Sende Moto is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as both county and national security teams take a firmer approach to addressing the violence and criminal activity plaguing the estate.
waikwamaina@yahoo.com
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