Students from Laikipia University have complained about heightened insecurity and road accidents in the area which they say has been caused by lack of street lights, bumps and footpaths along the road in their vicinity.
The students' leadership lamented on night attacks as they walk to and from the institution due to the lack of working street lamps within a 2-km stretch from Karuga centre to Gate A of their institution.
Willis Ochieng who is the student president warned that they would take action if action on the matter is not taken upon by the county leadership.
“We have approached Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) before regarding the street lights, but they said the final go-ahead has to come from the county government," he said.
"We are asking the county government to now intervene on this matter. We are a part of Laikipia and we are asking to feel included in the development plans of the county."
Ochieng said the students' lives are being put at risk.
"We have received many reports of students also being involved in accidents while on motorbikes. The lack of paved footpaths and bumps also puts our students at risk of being hit by oncoming traffic on the road,” lamented Ochieng.
James Maina, a student, said that the street light stands have already been erected but the connection to the electricity was still to be done and this raised the risk of heightened insecurity in the institution.
“The presence of the street lights will help to reduce the number of attacks on students which results in the stealing of students’ phones and laptops. This is making learning at night difficult for the students and we are requesting for a speedy response to the dire situation," he said.
"Recently, one of our students was assaulted by unknown attackers who injured them and these facilities would bring an end to these problems. Patrolling on the part of the police officers would also help to reduce the cases of insecurity to a large extent."
Edited by D Tarus
