Nairobi County leadership through the office of the Women Representative, Langata Police leadership, community leaders from Bangladesh settlement, MMU management and student leadership held a stakeholder meeting aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence between the university community and its neighborhood.
The multi-stakeholder meeting led by Nairobi City County Women Representative, Hon. Esther Passaris and MMU Chairman of Council Dr. Albert Kochei discussed various practical measures aimed at not only enhancing security around the university, but also improving livelihoods and socio-economic conditions of the residents of Bangladesh informal settlement.
Speaking at the university during the meeting, Hon. Passaris said that the main goal of the meeting was to look for ways of promoting peaceful coexistence between the university community and the communities around the institution.
“What we want is peaceful coexistence and development between the university community and the communities around the institution”, said Hon. Passaris adding that apart from the lighting, the County government will also improve the sanitation, support women and youth empowerment initiatives and provide bursaries for needy children within the Bangladesh settlement.
On his part, Dr. Kochei said that apart from constructing a pathway outside the university, the university will also construct a footpath inside the university and an additional gate as a contingency measure for the safety and security of the students.
Dr. Kochei also revealed that as a long-time security measure, the university has secured construction of 2500 student hostel units through the National Government Institutional Affordable Housing Project that will significantly will increase the number of students residing within the campus once complete.
The Langata Police leadership lead by Deputy OCPD Christopher Memepledged to increase security surveillance in the area and work with the local communities to enhance safety.
Also present was Ag. Vice Chancellor Prof. Geoffrey Rurimo, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Research and Innovation Prof. Livingstone Ngoo, The Langata Deputy County Commissioner Walter Katonon, National Affordable Housing lead Eunice Gathoni, Hardy Police Station Deputy OCS Laban Loyaton the area chief, and Assistant Chief, the Bangladesh Community Chairman, Dean of Students Dr. Paul Obonyo, Chief Finance Officer Dr. Grace Kakiya among others.