By AGENCY: Samson Diero Akach, a long serving Public Administrator has retired after stabilizing the hitherto intricate security situation in Suba West Sub-county.
It is time to ‘hang up the boots’ Suba West Sub-county, Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) has retired after serving for 30 years in various cadres and ranks across the country, leaving behind a track record of improved security surveillance, particularly in his last posting.
Suba West encompasses; Mfangano, Remba and Takawiri Island.
For a long time, the Islands became hiding places for criminals due to their remoteness but Mr Akach embarked on a major crackdown.
According to the DCC, the jurisdiction was quite appealing to potential criminals and a fertile hideout for wayward individuals.
“The Islands attract suspicious characters who are not natives of the area with some identified by only one name which raises suspicion,” he said.
Smoking out criminals
One of the first tasks that the Administrator did to ensure the Island became safe was to smoke-out criminals.
He demanded that those who are not from the community, must present letters from their chiefs.
Retired DCC noted during the operation that some men were irregularly inheriting widows in a bid to fit into the community.
Mr Akach introduced another rule. He directed everyone who wanted to inherit widows and wanted to stay within the Island, to present certificates of good conduct.
Majority of men who thought inheritance was a ticket to free access to community acceptance and membership, failed and they had to leave Mfangano Island, which is the largest of all the Islands.
“We had cases of some men trying to steal property of widows,” Akach recollects.
Landlords were instructed to take inventories of their tenants, especially fishermen from other regions.
This also assisted in weeding-out criminals.
The retiring Administrator also transformed education sector by bringing to an end the practice of minors engaging in fishing.
“I managed to help a number of learners go back to school. Those who could not afford to pay fees and were at the verge of dropping-out got financial support from mobilized well-wishing members of the public.” Akach said.
He instructed chiefs to visit schools in their areas of jurisdiction and account for all learners with the help of head teachers.
This enabled the government to trace learners who were not reporting to school on a regular basis.
“We managed to identify children headed households. I sought assistance to help these families,” Akach said.
His transformation of Suba West made residents host a farewell party for him, Wednesday, September 2, where he was installed as a Suba elder.
Wise leader
Many residents he interacted with said his leadership was full of wisdom, commendable and admired by his subjects and local leaders equally.
Dr Mark Matunga, a resident of Mfangano, said the outgoing Administrator ensured firm law enforcement where the resident respected law and order.
They also credited the outgoing DCC with championing the rights of women and children, supporting efforts to safeguard the culture of the Suba community.
“We could rest easy because we knew our children were in the safe hands of Akach,” Dr Matunga said.
Retired Assistant County Commissioner, Patrick Lumumba, said Mr Akach would mobilize bursaries for deserving children.
“His idea of asking people who are not from this Island to bring letters from their chiefs was one of the best ideas he had. It helped in promoting peace and security,” Mr Lumumba said.
Mr Akach was also involved in promoting the scouting movement in local schools.
He helped in nurturing many children by joining Kenya Scouts Association.
Ms. Beryl Adus, the Sub-county Scouts Commissioner said the retired DCC was their Patron.
“All his instructions were implemented. Whenever he made a decision, he would not backtrack,” she said.
