Rachuonyo Deputy County Commissioner Denis Kieti has vowed to intensify security patrols within the areas where students studying at Rachunyo Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) reside.
This, he said, will help to weed out any criminal elements that have led to a surge in theft, robbery, and attacks on the students.
Many students had complained of incessant theft of their personal effects, such as phones, gas cylinders, and clothes, after breaking in to their rented rooms.
Some students said they are attacked and forced to part with their shopping when they are on their way to their house, saying most of the crimes happen at 7.00pm.
The students identified the delivery area, a thousand streets, and Aloo Estate in Oyugis Town as some of the hotspots where many students have suffered robbery and attacks, losing items.
The DCC asked students to identify all suspicious characters in their midst, especially where they live, pointing out that people who steal from the students are not coming from far.
The deputy county commissioner was speaking Wednesday at the Rachuonyo KMTC ground during a meeting called to sensitise students on their security and to seek a way forward on security complaints raised by the students residing in the surrounding community.
In the recent past, the college management reported they have had several incidences of attacks on students in their areas of residence and called for support from the security organs in the subcounty.
The college principal, Leonard Ayora, appreciated the effort of the security agents but said they cannot alone manage and called for collaboration to reduce security challenges affecting the students.
“Students should rent houses in groups so that they ensure their safety by being a brother’s or sister’s keeper,” the DCC said and advised any cases of theft and robbery incidents to be reported to the police for swift action.
He said the police patrols will start immediately and asked students to ensure they remain disciplined and avoid being out during odd hours.
The commissioner promised that as a security team they will review the situation regularly to identify any weakness to ensure all the students are safe.
“We shall also have a meeting with all the landlords hosting students to see how they can secure their premises to ensure you and your properties are safe,” he said.
Rachuonyo KMTC campus was officially opened on March 2, 2016 by Professor Philip Kaloki, then chair of the KMTC board.
Currently the college has a student population of 592, and many of them live in rented premises as the college cannot accommodate all of them.
502 of the students are female, whereas 97 are male, according to the college principal.
By Moseti Julius
