Rising Insecurity Concerns at Sira Market around KMTC Ugunja Campus
Ugunja, Siaya County – A worrying trend of insecurity incidents at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Ugunja has left students and local residents concerned, prompting swift action and promises of intervention from local leaders.
Over the past few weeks, several cases of theft and violent attacks targeting students have been reported. In one disturbing incident that occurred some time back, intruders broke into student hostels and made away with mobile phones belonging to at least 14 students.
"Just last week on Sunday, two students were ambushed along a road near the institution, severely beaten, and left unconscious,"
senior assistant chief Mr George Oduor Opondo confirmed.
He added that students claimed that they were beaten by some boda boda riders in a red Bajaj but they cannot identify the faces . He also stated that a report of rape case was also reported some time back .
Local leaders and community members have begun rallying around the affected students. The Chairperson of the Ugunja market called on residents to coexist peacefully with KMTC students, " I want to condem insecurity around this place becouse if the students gets tired and ask for transfer ,the business around sira and Ugunja will not grow and business people will be stranded," chairperson ugunja market Mr Alfred Apiyo Oduor stated .
He also added that students from KMTC supports the economy of Ugunja in a big way and so the residents should protect them, not prey on them.
In response to the growing insecurity, the Chief Municipal Officer announced that steps are being taken to enhance the safety of the institution and its surroundings. These include the installation of security lights and clearing of overgrown bushes near the college, which are believed to provide cover for criminal activities.
"We have allocated money for maintenance and we will ensure that Sira market will be the first to benefit through security light installation ,"
Ugunja municipal manger Fredric Ochieng Opondo stated.
Students and staff are hopeful that these measures will improve their safety and bring an end to the wave of violence and theft that has disrupted life on and around the KMTC Ugunja campus.
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