Danger looms as Mt Kenya University stops wayleave maintenance

A man relieving himself at a recently reopened wayleave in Nakuru Town which Mt Kenya University was being accused of grabbing. The university has denied the allegations. [Kennedy Gachuhi, Standard].

A move by Mount Kenya University to stop securing a wayleave behind its campus in Nakuru has made the pathway a security risk.

The area that the institution had reclaimed from a dumpsite has now been turned into a trading centre.

At the same time, cases of mugging and break-ins have also hit the service lane with electricity cables hanging loosely above the sewage runway underneath.

The university demolished a fence and a metallic gate it erected to secure the area behind its campus.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, Mount Kenya University reclaimed the service lane that had been converted into a dumping site but later withdrew its services following a tiff with a Nairobi-based blogger.

The blogger had cast aspersions as to the university’s intentions by securing the path, saying they had grabbed the lane.

And barely a week after the university stopped the maintenance of the wayleave, the small portion is going back to its previous state with night revellers turning it into a urinal.

Several businesses, including wine and spirit outlets, have also sprung up along the service lane, posing a security risk to both traders and the students.

Residents yesterday pleaded with the county government to engage the university to continue securing the 100-metre service lane.

“This is a health risk to both traders and passersby because of the high-risk electricity cables. It is also no longer safe to pass around this place at night because of the mugging,” said John Kamau, a resident.

Mr Kamau said he was accosted by three muggers who stole his mobile phone and some cash last week at around 6.30 pm.

A spot check by The Standard revealed that a number of businesses, including curio shops, have sprouted along the short strip with traders now operating under the low-hanging power cables.

Speaking to The Standard, Kenya Power Central Rift Regional Manager Geoffrey Muli said they had no issue with the university on the wayleave. He said the activities presently taking place under the power cables are a recipe for disaster.

“We had no problems with Mt Kenya University on the wayleave. We would only have an issue with the institution if their development of that area posed a safety risk. It is very dangerous for those conducting business activities there in case the cables fall on them,” said Mr Muli

Opening up

MKU Nakuru campus director Dr Emily Nyambisi said the opening up of the area to free access is slowly seeing it reverting to its initial state of deterioration.

“It will greatly compromise security of the university and general public. Recently it has been a shame as students observe revellers use it as a urinal while in class,” said Mr Nyambisi.

The trouble started after a resident approached the county government and requested to have the wayleave closed down.

The university, however, offered to rehabilitate it as part of its corporate social responsibility.