By Brenda Kubai
After more than a decade of stagnation, two critical public facilities in Igembe North, Meru County—Laare Police Station and the Assistant County Commissioner’s (ACC) offices—have finally been completed, marking the end of an 11-year wait that began in 2013.
Area MP Julius Taitumu inspected the long-stalled projects, originally initiated by the former legislator Joseph M’Eruaki but later abandoned during his successor Maoka Maore’s term.
The completed projects will offer security officers better working conditions and contribute to improved service delivery to the public.
“We’ve operated in leaking buildings for years,” said Agnes Mwendwa, a police officer at Laare station. “Now, we finally have a dignified and secure place to work from.”
Igembe North Sub-county Police Commander Gerald Marondo also lauded the projects saying “Our officers and even our clients—the inmates—now have decent facilities, including working toilets”.
He further appealed for the construction of a perimeter wall for enhanced security.The new police station, alongside the refurbished ACC office rests on a plot known locally as “agriculture land’.
The ACC and his team are set to relocate once interior works are finalized.MP Taitumu praised residents for maintaining peace despite recent nationwide demonstrations that have caused unrest and business losses across the country.
He revealed that the projects were funded through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and hinted at plans to rehabilitate nearby structures for the Ministry of Agriculture that has been grappling with office space.
“Security and public service must go hand in hand with development,” Taitumu stated.
Residents are optimistic that the facilities will ensure a more responsive and better-equipped public service system in Igembe North.
