Thika residents to enjoy better policing as MKU-funded Police Post, Traffic Office projects complete
In what could be buoyed as the epitome of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Thika residents and the surrounding communities will henceforth enjoy better policing after the completion of twin projects, a Police Post and a Traffic Police Block funded by the Mount Kenya University (MKU).
Besides bringing the security services closer to the people, the initiative will also enhance community policing agenda to supplement government’s efforts to foster better relations between security sector players and members of the public.
The project is dubbed ‘Thika Industrial Area Community Policing facility.’
The twin projects are located in Thika, Kiambu county adjacent to MKU alongside other facilities notably General Kago Primary School, Thika High School, Thika Level-5 Hospital, several colleges, Bidco Africa, and other industries.
The projects were constructed in partnership with the national government, Kiambu county government and the Mount Kenya University.
MKU Vice Chancellor, Professor Deogratius Jagnyi lauded the initiative terming it a successful project achieved through the public-private partnership.
Thika Town Member of Parliament (MP) Alice Ng’ang’a is expected to officially commission the facility.
“We continue to forge synergetic partnerships with security organs in safeguarding peace and security in the community”. Jaganyi said.
The VC added that the university will also facilitate the students and faculty to participate in security interventions, especially in the emerging security threats, such as cybercrime in roder to offer the much needed expertise as well as preparing them for the job market.
According to MKU Dean of Students Emmanuel Owuor, the Industrial Area community policing facility will solve some of the problems of security around the university on General Kago Road.
It will also serve as a deterrent to potential criminals.
According to an economic and national crime trend survey released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) last year, Nairobi, Kiambu and Meru counties had the highest number of crimes reported at police stations in 2021.
According to the survey, Nairobi City had a total of 6,686 crimes reported; followed by Kiambu, with 5,715 cases and Meru, with 5,032,
The cases reported in the capital city showed a rise from the number reported in 2020, which were 5,844.
On the other hand, Samburu county had the least number of reported cases at 316, followed by Mandera (338); Wajir (370) and Lamu (404).
The total number of crimes reported across the country in 2021 stood at 81,272.
The survey captured statistics from 2017 to 2021.
