Residents decry rising insecurity in Sori, Nyatike West

Residents of Sori in Nyatike Decry Surge in Violent Crime, Plead for Security
A wave of violent crime is terrorizing residents of Sori Town and its surrounding villages in Nyatike West, Migori County, with locals reporting a relentless surge in armed robberies and assaults. Community members now say they are living in a state of constant fear, afraid to conduct business or travel after dark as criminal gangs operate with apparent impunity. The situation has become so dire that many business owners are forced to close their premises by sunset, crippling local commerce.
According to numerous accounts, the criminals, often armed with crude weapons and sometimes firearms, stage brazen attacks on homes, businesses, and pedestrians. The area’s proximity to Lake Victoria is believed to be a factor, with the vast shoreline and water routes providing criminals with easy escape and hideouts. We are being held hostage in our own homes. These criminals strike at will, knowing that police response is slow or non-existent. Our lives have become a nightmare, lamented a local trader from Sori trading centre.
The rising insecurity has sparked outrage and desperate pleas for intervention. Local leaders have echoed the residents’ concerns, calling on both the county and national government to deploy more security personnel to the area immediately. They are demanding increased police patrols, the establishment of a more permanent police post, and a dedicated security operation to flush out the criminal elements from their hideouts. The community’s frustration is compounded by a feeling of abandonment by the very authorities tasked with their protection.
This crisis in Sori presents a direct challenge to the national government’s recent declaration of Migori as a strategic security zone. For residents, the rhetoric must now be matched with decisive action on the ground. The persistent insecurity not only threatens lives and livelihoods but also undermines the economic potential of the lakeside region. As the calls for help grow louder, the pressure is mounting on security agencies to restore a sense of safety and normalcy to the beleaguered communities of Nyatike West.