A section of Maragua constituency residents in Murang'a County have accused security agencies of laxity in stemming increased criminal activities and sale of illegal drugs.

The residents of Ciumbu shopping centre and its environs within Makuyu division on Saturday a decried surge in criminal activities including mugging, theft and house break-ins, attributing the vice to wanton sale and consumption of drugs among young people.

Their cry comes barely a week after a young mother was attacked and killed after she was waylaid by members of a gang in an early morning incident as she was heading to Kakuzi horticultural firm for work.

During a security meeting that brought together members of the county security committee and the area MP Mary Waithera, the residents claimed people who are behind the sale of drugs and illicit brews are well known but nothing much is being done to apprehend and prosecute them.