Thika town has received a major security boost after the opening of a police patrol base next to the populous Mt Kenya University.
The community policing facility built through a partnership between the national government and Mount Kenya University will help in ending the numerous muggings of students and other road users by criminals who hover around the area at night.
Also opened is the newly constructed traffic police office at the Thika Police Station that is expected to address congestion challenges at their current office.
Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a who officiated the opening of the facilities said the town’s proximity to Nairobi, the Thika superhighway and the Garissa highway poses major security risks and thus needs heightened security.
She noted that the unprecedented growth of colleges in the town require a security boost to facilitate a peaceful existence of both learners and locals.
“MKU’s efforts of establishing a patrol base cannot be underestimated. Other industries because there are many in Thika should borrow a leaf and give back to the community by establishing a project or donating police vehicles,” Ng’ang’a said.
Kiambu County Police Commander, Perminus Kioi, said taking police officers closer to the people develops trust, confidence and cooperation with locals to end crime.
“Major security issues within the town include theft and the snatching of mobile phones and personal items by criminals riding motorbikes. Students in Thika town have been victims of violent robberies, physical assault in the streets, drugs and substance abuse, online fraud and conning,” said Kioi.
MKU Vice Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi said the institution will continue to partner with security organs in safeguarding peace and security of its students.
He said the university expects the community to enjoy improved security due to regular patrols, rapid response from the police in case of an emergency and reduction of crime since members of the community are able to provide information quickly regarding suspicious activities.
The VC said through capacity development in criminology and security studies, the university will continue to promote peace and justice locally and internationally.
“The success of this initiative will depend on the full involvement of all of us by volunteering information or security intelligence to the security organs to help arrest crime,” Prof Jaganyi noted.
By Muoki Charles
