Kisumu Commissioner Orders CCTV Audit in Schools Following Deadly Naivasha Fire
Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations at Joel Omino Secondary School, Mwabudzo raised concerns over underutilized and faulty CCTV installations in learning institutions.
Kisumu County Commissioner Ramadhan Mohammed Mwabudzo Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Kisumu County Commissioner Ramadhan Mohammed Mwabudzo has told school leaders to review, and in some cases upgrade their school CCTV systems, saying it should help bolster learner safety but right now it is not really working the way it supposed to.
While speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations at Joel Omino Secondary School, he warned that CCTV cameras that are either poorly managed , or simply malfunctioning are slowly eroding efforts aimed at improving security for students. He noted that in many places, schools have already poured money into security infrastructure , but some of the equipment stays unused or stops working for long stretches.
“In most of the institutions I have visited, the CCTV monitor is placed in the principal’s office or the staff room. At what time does the principal monitor? This equipment is supposed to be in the hands of those charged with manning security in our schools,” Mwabudzo said, almost like he was pointing to the obvious, but still stressing the point.
He directed principals and their school management teams to make sure every camera is fully functional and that surveillance is actively monitored around the clock by designated security staff, not left idle until there is trouble.
The order came after the recent arson incident at Utumishi Senior School, where 16 people lost their lives. Security experts have said that timely watching of surveillance footage can help flag suspicious activity early and maybe avert tragedies like that, before it gets out of hand.
Mwabudzo also said his office will convene an urgent meeting that will bring together school heads and other education stakeholders to check the state of security infrastructure in schools across Kisumu County.
“We will also visit schools to ensure that the CCTV systems are properly installed and manned to guarantee the safety of our children,” he added.
He further mentioned that since he recently assumed office in Kisumu after transfers within the national government administration , he has seen growing concern about violent hit-and-run robberies in the city. He urged stronger vigilance, and more cooperation among relevant parties to tackle the insecurity.
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