By P, KNA
Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Duncan Darusi has assured students in higher learning institutions within the county of their safety, pledging the government’s commitment to providing a secure and conducive learning environment.
Darusi gave the assurance on Tuesday during a meeting with student leaders from Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Wote Campus, Wote Technical Training Institute (WTTI), and South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU). The forum, held at his boardroom in Wote town under the Jukwaa La Wasomi Forum, aimed at enhancing peace and security among students both in school and where they reside.
“As a government we shall ensure students in higher learning institutions learn in a secure and conducive environment,” said Darusi. “This programme is meant to promote peace and security, address how students relate with the community, and strengthen their contribution to development.”
He emphasized that students play a critical role in security matters and must work closely with law enforcement officers by reporting incidents of insecurity. The meeting revealed that many students fail to report such cases due to mistrust of security agencies, an issue Darusi urged them to overcome.
The County Commissioner also challenged students to use social media responsibly, warning that freedom of expression comes with limits. “Please always remember to use social media responsibly. In any freedom, there is a limit,” he cautioned.
During the forum, student leaders led by Makueni University Student’s Association (MUSA) Coordinator Daniel Kisila, WTTI’s Movanrid Okeya, SEKU’s Lenox Pavan, and KMTC’s Okware Kizito raised various concerns. These included cases of sexual harassment in institutions, insecurity due to lack of street lights in estates such as Shimo and Calosci, property theft during long holidays, and conflicts with landlords.
Mental health challenges among students were also highlighted as an area needing urgent attention.
On landlord-related disputes, Darusi directed Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Paul Langat to convene a forum bringing landlords and students together to address grievances structurally. He further revealed that the government will construct hostels at KMTC and WTTI, offering students on-campus accommodation as a long-term solution to recurrent conflicts with landlords.
Regarding insecurity caused by poor lighting, Darusi said he would escalate the matter to the governor to prioritize installation of street lights in areas where students live and commute.
Makueni Deputy Police Commander, Isaac Kombo, who also addressed the forum, warned students against walking late at night. He, however, advised that those found outdoors after hours should be able to explain themselves and always carry identification cards.
“I urge students whenever they are late, they should be able to explain themselves, act responsibly, and have their identification cards. You cannot be careless and irresponsible and expect to be assisted,” Kombo said.
The meeting was attended by members of the county security team alongside DCC Langat.