Kisumu county orders closure of Airbnbs to tame crime

The Kisumu County Government has directed the immediate temporary closure of all Airbnb facilities in the city following a sharp rise in insecurity. The decision, announced during a joint security briefing, requires all short-term rental operators to undergo fresh registration before resuming business. According to Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga, the new licensing process will only approve premises located in secure neighbourhoods and equipped with essential safety features such as visitor-registration desks, security guards, and CCTV cameras. The county says the move is part of an aggressive crackdown targeting criminal gangs believed to be using some of the rentals as hideouts.
Authorities say the insecurity situation has particularly worsened in areas such as Nyamasaria, Mowlem, Tom Mboya Estate, Milimani, Riat, Mamboleo, and Kisian, where cases of mugging and violent robberies have escalated. To bolster surveillance, all hotels, restaurants, bars, and major business establishments have also been instructed to install CCTV cameras with a monitoring range of at least 50 to 100 metres. The county inspectorate has already set up a central command centre to monitor real-time footage from these cameras. In addition, boda boda operations in Milimani have been suspended following a spike in evening attacks, with a mandatory registration exercise for all riders scheduled next month to help authorities map and regulate operators more effectively.
County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo confirmed that security agencies have intensified operations across the affected areas, leading to the arrest of several robbery suspects, while one injured suspect remains hospitalised. He assured the public that the ongoing operation is intelligence-led and professionally coordinated, urging residents to remain calm and offer accurate information to law enforcement to support the cleanup effort. With fresh licensing rules and enhanced security measures expected to take effect soon, the county hopes the crackdown will restore safety, streamline short-term rentals, and reassure residents and visitors as Kisumu works toward a more secure urban environment.