Concern in Kirinyaga as rising cases of theft linked to underage residents

According to residents led by Peter Gatugi and Obadiah Gatimu, the minors have become a menace in the fast-growing town. “They steal water meters, steel wires, and other items, which they later sell to scrap metal dealers,” said Gatugi.

Mr. Gatimu described the situation as complex and called for urgent intervention. “The children are breaking into homes across the town, causing fear among residents. Kagio spans both Mwea and Ndia constituencies, and this issue needs immediate attention,” he said.

Some residents say their living conditions make it difficult to secure their homes. “Most of us live in simple houses, either rented or self-built. We can’t afford to install CCTV cameras or alarm systems,” said Mr. Gatugi.

Jane Muthoni, another resident, recounted her experience of nearly being robbed by a child. “I heard noises on my roof at night and thought it was a cat. To my shock, it was a young boy trying to enter my house. When I raised the alarm, he ran away,” she said.

Angry residents have blamed parents for neglecting their children, claiming that some even support or protect them. They also accused local police of failing to take action.

“These children smoke bhang openly at Githinjiro, Ngamione, and the playground near Githinjiro. Some police officers from Kagio Police Station even frequent those areas,” said Mary Wairimu, a resident. “It’s shocking that this is happening despite Kagio having two police stations—Kiamaciri and Kagio. We know the rise in child crime is driven by social, economic, and family issues, but something must be done urgently by both locals and the security team.”

Residents are now calling for increased police patrols, community vigilance, and rehabilitation programs to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency in the area.