Police in Migori town have launched investigations into a suspected inside job after a night guard was brutally killed and property worth approximately Sh600,000 stolen from a popular entertainment establishment within the town.
The Sunday night incident occurred at The Ranch Club in the Suna East area during the early hours of Monday morning, adding to growing concerns over rising insecurity in the town.
According to preliminary investigations, the deceased watchman in his middle age was killed in what police described as a cold-blooded attack before the suspects made away with several valuables from the premises.
According to Mr Phillip Omomdi,the club’s patron, the suspects made away with Sh 600,000 worth of electronics after beaking into the premise from inside.
Among the items reported stolen were a music system mixer, a laptop computer, mobile phones, assorted TV screens as well as the establishment’s till number phone.
The watchman’s personal phone was also missing after the attack.
Investigators have raised suspicions that the crime may have been orchestrated by individuals familiar with the premises after discovering unusual circumstances surrounding the break-in.
“We suspect it could be an inside job since the room was broken from the inside. No form of outside burglary was seen,” said one of the investigators involved in the probe.
Police reports indicate that the establishment’s CCTV surveillance system was switched off at approximately 8:46 p.m. and remained inactive until around 5:00 a.m., creating a significant gap in surveillance footage during the period when the crime is believed to have occurred.
Suna East Sub-County Police Commander Harriet Heilley confirmed that detectives are pursuing strong leads pointing to possible insider involvement.
“The incident occurred way past midnight, and the CCTV system was shut down at 8:46 p.m. before being reactivated at 5 a.m. Access to the CCTV controls is within the main premises, which has two doors — the front door and the back door. The front door remained intact, while the back door appears to have been broken from the inside,” said Heilley.
“We have every reason to believe that the incident may have involved insiders. We have already conducted scene processing and investigations are ongoing. We are holding some staff members in custody to assist with investigations and we are confident we will soon apprehend those responsible,” she added.
Police initially held ten individuals for questioning in connection with the incident before narrowing down to five suspects who are currently assisting detectives with ongoing investigations.
The commander also appealed to business owners to strengthen security measures in their establishments.
“We urge members of the business community to install functional CCTV systems, ensure proper monitoring of surveillance equipment, and hire adequate security personnel to enhance the safety of their premises,” Heilley said.
She further called upon members of the public to volunteer information that could assist investigators in tracking down the perpetrators.
“We appeal to anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and help us nab the suspects,” she said.
The killing has shocked residents and business operators in Migori Town, who say cases of theft, burglary, and violent attacks if left untamed may spiral into a serious security threat.
Area resident Naphtali Atin expressed concern over the latest occurance, noting that business owners risk shifting their onvestment focus in the wake of the ongoing FIFA World Cup season when many entertainment spots operate late into the night.
“We risk losing more property to thugs if the situation is not fast tackled. We are upbeat that our security aperatus are on the matter and will be able to restore sanity and a conducive business environment that we have enjoyed in the past. Thia worls cup season should see an influx of revellers and such occurrences risk tainting the good rapport we have had with the security agencies. The business community is now worried because criminals seem to be targeting establishments operating at night,” said Atin.
Businessman Boy Osire echoed similar concerns and called for increased police patrols and intelligence-led operations to curb the growing threat.
“There have been enhanced patrols in the recent past and such occurences may pose a security threat if not keenly looked into. Our officers are doing a great work but they should up their game and avert the incidents in prior,” he said.
The latest incident has intensified calls for enhanced security measures across Migori Town as police continue with investigations into the murder and theft.
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