Deputy Inspector General of Police Edward Mbugua has promised to facilitate completion of police staff houses at Kigumo sub county headquarters before the end of October.
The houses, once completed, he said will give a number of officers better accommodation and boost their morale as they maintain security in the locality.
The two bedroomed units have stalled for more than three years after the project lacked funding from the national government.
Lack of better housing has forced officers to live in dilapidated buildings at the station, a challenge which can be attributed to lack of funds.
Mbugua said this on Tuesday when he visited the Sub county police headquarters. He asked other partners to support the project so that officers can get better housing and thus boost their performance.
“Works of finishing the houses will commence on Monday. I ask the prison department which is doing the construction work to speed up and complete the remaining job by October this year,” said Mbugua.
He was accompanied by Kigumo Member of parliament Ruth Mwaniki who promised to support in completing the stalled houses.
The deputy IG further said the police service will not embark on establishing new stations but complete the existing ones which have stalled.
This, he said after locals asked for establishment of new police stations at various parts of the sub county to boost security.
“For now due to financial constraints we will not mostly venture in building new stations but first complete projects which have stalled,” added Mbugua.
He lauded multi agency approach in tackling security in the area, saying the rate of crime in the sub county which in the past was rocked by mungiki sect has gone down.
“Rate of crime in Kigumo has gone down in the recent past and I thank officers who have dedicated their energies in curbing criminal activities,” he added.
He requested members of the public to appreciate the work police do instead of every time criticizing the performance of security officers.
Murang’a County Police Commander, Mr. Josphat Kinyua on his part observed that after intervention of police, people of Kigumo can enjoy services from various matatu Saccos after ending the monopoly which existed for many years.
“Through security intervention, we have been able to end the monopoly enjoyed by one Sacco in this area and now locals can comfortably enjoy transport services from various Saccos,” added Kinyua.
Kigumo MP said her target is to construct a modern police station at Kigumo, so as to ensure locals get services without challenges.
Mwaniki added that before the end of her term in 2022, the station which has old buildings will get new working offices and cells.
“The local NG CDF will partner with the police service to put up new offices and cells in this station within two years’ time. We will also facilitate in building new stations in other places within the constituency in an effort of boosting security,” she further said.
By Bernard Munyao