Varsity Students in Mombasa Decry Insecurity Amid Rising Attacks

Student leaders at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) have raised alarms over the increasing insecurity in student residences across various subcounties. Speaking at a forum convened by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, student representative Daniel Musyoki, popularly known as Tembo, highlighted the dire situation faced by students in Kisauni, Likoni, Mvita, and Nyali subcounties.

Musyoki pointed out that due to inadequate on-campus accommodation, many students are compelled to seek affordable housing in these areas, making them vulnerable to frequent attacks. “The attacks on the students happen every week. Many are also in hospitals,” he stated, emphasizing the regularity and severity of these incidents.

During the forum held on Saturday, Musyoki detailed the various challenges faced by students, including theft and physical assaults. He noted that the financial burden of replacing stolen items, such as laptops and phones, adds significant stress to the already strained student community. “These thugs are not only attacking and injuring our students, they are also stealing from them. How do you expect a student to replace a Sh32,000 laptop or a phone worth around Sh15,000?” Musyoki queried, underscoring the financial hardships students endure due to these crimes.

The insecurity has also impacted the accessibility of university services, with students falling behind in their programs due to lost or damaged property. Musyoki cited a recent incident where a student was stabbed at around 6 pm while heading to KC (Kaa Chonjo) in Mvita subcounty, highlighting the pervasive danger students face daily.

In response to the escalating security concerns, Governor Nassir announced the county’s plan to install smart CCTV cameras across Mombasa. These cameras will feature facial recognition and number plate recognition systems to help identify and apprehend criminals. “When you rob people, cameras will pick up your face and we will be able to identify you. Unless you decide to hide forever,” Nassir explained. He assured that the technology would also assist in identifying traffic offenders and contribute to converting Mombasa into a smart city.

The CCTV camera project, valued at approximately Sh94 million, has already seen its first payment, and the equipment has been imported with surveys completed. The installation is expected to commence in the next 45 days. The initiative aims to target the most crime-prone areas first, with potential expansion depending on its impact.

Additionally, Mombasa county has allocated a Sh93 million budget for street lighting for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Governor Nassir revealed that while the initial bids for smart street lighting solutions were prohibitively high, the county has decided to implement the project in phases to ensure feasibility and effectiveness.

Hillary Onyango, a student and player for TUM Dynamos football team, urged the county to create more programs to keep the youth engaged and away from criminal activities. “I have interacted with many young people and realized that they do not engage in crime and substance abuse because they want to but because they want to get high,” he explained, noting that the need for money to buy drugs drives many youths to commit crimes.

Governor Nassir also highlighted the county’s efforts to combat juvenile delinquency through motivational talks and engagement programs for school-going youth during holidays. These initiatives provide daily allowances and fee assistance, aiming to reduce crime rates among juveniles, who are responsible for much of the crime in Mombasa.

The combined efforts of increased surveillance, better street lighting, and youth engagement programs signify a comprehensive approach to addressing the insecurity challenges faced by TUM students and the broader Mombasa community.