A new police post has been opened in Thika town to boost security and curb rising crimes.
The project is a partnership between the national government, Kiambu county government and Mount Kenya University.
Also newly constructed is a traffic police office at the Thika police station, a move that has been lauded as a positive development by leaders.
MKU vice chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi, said both initiatives have been implemented under a public-private partnership involving the three parties.
“Bringing police officers closer to the people will enhance safe communities as police officers will engage with residents with ease. This will develop a greater sense of trust and confidence in the police, leading to better communication and cooperation,” he said.
Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a officially commissioned the community policing facility, located on General Kago Road.
“There has been unprecedented growth of the existing colleges within this constituency and the establishment of new ones, both public and many others are privately supported,” the MP said.
She said the facility will play a pivotal role to improve security in the town and eliminate stubborn illicit activities that also affect students.
Kiambu county police commander Perminus Kioi said the newly built Thika Industrial Area Police facility will significantly improve security in the area.
“It will help in reducing crime in that section of Thika town, particularly around MKU,” she said.
Kioi said taking police officers closer to the people enhances community policing, as police officers will engage with residents in non-emergency situations, such as community events or educational programmes.
“This will foster positive relationships and mutual respect between law enforcement and the community. Again bringing police closer to the people means that the community will experience quick response to crime and emergencies and this is crucial in saving life and property,” he said.
Kioi said Thika town is host to some of the largest informal settlements in Kenya (such as Kiandutu) and a big population of youths who attend colleges and universities in the area.
"Common security problems in the town range from petty crime to complex criminal activities committed online. Major security issues within the town include theft and the snatching of mobile phones and personal items by criminals riding motorbikes," Kioi said.
"Students in Thika town have also been victims of violent robberies, physical assault in the streets, drugs and substance abuse, online fraud and conning."
He said having a community policing facility in the neighbourhood will also contribute to the overall well-being of the community.
“We are witnessing a shift towards criminal activities committed online such as online money fraud, where unsuspecting people are duped to pay for fake services or are tricked to share their M-Pesa or bank details,” the county police boss said.
Prof Jaganyi pledged that MKU will continue to forge synergetic partnerships with security organs in safeguarding peace and security in the community.
“We will also facilitate the students and faculty to participate in security interventions, especially in the emerging security threats, such as cybercrime,” he said.
"The facility is the 4th PPP initiative within the neighbourhood. Others are the MKU-Thika Level 5 Hospital PPP project, the MKU-Thika High School PPP project on the development of the Sports Complex, the MKU-Kenya National Library Services PPP and a relationship is already being established with the Thika Women Prison."