This archive report was first published on 17 July 2020.
Published on July 17, 2020, Ruiru, a constituency in Kenya, has long struggled with high crime rates due to its large population and proximity to Nairobi.
The area has seen a surge in murders, human and drug trafficking, counterfeit goods, robberies, and fraudsters, with the local police force struggling to keep up.
However, with the National Police Service (NPS) and the National-Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) working together to upgrade police stations and build new ones, residents are hopeful that peace will soon return to the area.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Edward Mbugua officially opened the Mwiki station in Githurai 45, built through the NG-CDF, and pledged to deploy 40 officers to the station.
"I have instructed the Kiambu County police commander to provide this station with officers," Mr Mbugua said.
The new police stations, including Kahawa Sukari and Kwihota in Gatong'ora Ward, are expected to improve security in the area and reduce the burden on the existing police force.
Area MP Ng'ang'a King'ara decried the poor police-public ratio and said that the situation is made worse by activities on the busy Thika highway.
He added that the NG-CDF and the NPS are putting up more police stations in the constituency, including a new station in Gikumari, where locals have promised to surrender a quarter acre.
