Matungulu DCC Everlyne Wekesa intensifies crackdown on cattle theft cartels

Matungulu Deputy County Commissioner Everlyne Wekesa has intensified the fight against cattle theft in Matungulu following increased incidents in the area.

Ms Wekesa said there were cartels dealing in stock theft, warning that she had activated security organs to combat the same, especially during this month of January.

"We have a few challenges. There is a cartel focusing on cattle theft. I have reactivated the security team to deal with this menace," she said.

Ms Wekesa said the thieves cause problems for parents who usually sell their livestock to pay school fees in January.

"We know the cartels are very active in January. It is either they surrender or we go after them. They want to harvest where they did not sow. I am appealing to residents and leaders to assist me to address the problem," added the Deputy County Commissioner.

She said it is either they surrender or the authorities go for them, saying they cannot allow criminals to continue.

Ms Wekesa said the community needed to work together to improve the lives of the youths in school.

She cautioned young people not to be negatively influenced by social media, adding that all that appears on social media is not necessarily the truth.

The DCC advised young people to moderate their interaction on social media to avoid burnout.She added that education without discipline would not yield good results in life for the young people.

Ms Wekesa spoke on Tuesday at Tala Girls High School while addressing teachers, parents, and students.

She also called for heightened vigilance in the Nyumba Kumi setup to ensure the safety of residents and property during night and day.

At the same time, the DCC asked security organs to ensure all pool tables were located at licensed bars and restaurants.

She ordered the removal of all pool tables placed in shanties and asked village elders to liaise with area chiefs to ensure pool tables placed in unlawful areas were removed.

She said village elders who don't attend public events will soon be replaced.

To those taking their work seriously, she had some good news: the government will start paying village elders in June.

"We do not want village elders who are not aware of what is happening in government as they do not attend meetings and public events," she said.

She also asked churches to help maintain order in communities by discouraging vices such as drug abuse.