Nairobi — Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has unveiled new measures to strengthen security in and around colleges and universities, including the establishment of police posts near learning institutions.
Speaking on Thursday during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Nairobi, Murkomen said the initiative seeks to address growing concerns about drug abuse, violence, and insecurity within campuses.
"At the sub-county level, student leaders and deans of students will now be involved in security meetings to deliberate on how to improve safety," he said.
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"We want them to have a direct relationship with security teams so that, when it comes to issues like fighting drug abuse, they are working together."
The CS noted that students, who form a significant segment of the urban population, have often been neglected in security planning.
"There are all manner of things happening in our colleges and universities, drugs, insecurity, violence and we must deal with them decisively," he said.
Murkomen emphasized that the measures are part of wider reforms to strengthen collaboration between police, administrators, and communities. Members of the public and other stakeholders will also be invited to monthly security meetings to address emerging threats.
He further disclosed that security agencies, working with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), have eradicated all major chang'aa brewing dens in Nairobi.
However, he noted that the city still ranks fifth nationally in the prevalence of illicit and adulterated alcohol. "I'm confident that the ongoing crackdown against the menace will effectively contain the problem," he added.
At the same forum, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa painted a grim picture of drug abuse trends among young people. He revealed that 48 per cent of the country's drug use is concentrated in Nairobi County.
Citing a recent study in both public and private schools, Dr. Omerikwa said one in every five students is abusing drugs, while one in every eleven is battling severe substance use disorder requiring rehabilitation.
He commended Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for hosting three rehabilitation centers in the county but stressed that more facilities are urgently needed to meet rising demand.
Since April, Murkomen has been traversing the country through the Jukwaa la Usalama forums, which are designed to strengthen citizen services and assess local security challenges.
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Having already visited 46 counties, he poetically concluded the nationwide engagement with his 47th county forum in the capital city, Nairobi.
According to the CS, the forums have offered valuable insights into recurring security concerns while providing a platform for communities, local leaders and administrators to collaborate in fostering peace, cohesion and stability.
