JKUAT students rampage over fees

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology students wait for transport back home after the indefinite closure of the university following riots over fees. Photo/ TOM OTIENO

What you need to know:

  • Students at a public university go on the rampage to protest high fees.
  • Two vehicles set ablaze on Nairobi’s Thika Road.
  • Students currently paying Sh35, 000 per academic year up from the standard fee of Sh28, 000.

  • University closed indefinitely.

Students at a public university have gone on the rampage to protest high fees.

And after the students engaged police in running battles, the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) administration closed the campus indefinitely.

The students paralysed transport on the busy Thika Road for more than two hours, stoned motorists and torched a public transport bus.

Public Relations officer Mr Davies Haraka referred journalists to the office of the Vice Chancellor, who was not available for comment.

Students who spoke to the Nation on condition of anonymity told of a number of grievances including limited accommodation in the hostels, lack of recent books in the library and succession battles in the university administration.

The students had organised a peaceful demonstration to protest the unilateral increase in school fees. They say they are currently paying Sh35, 000 per academic year up from the standard fee of Sh28, 000 payable in other public varsities.

Acting Vice Chancellor Margaret Imbuga dismissed the students concerns saying that they were afraid of examinations. It is then that the students turned violent and marched to Thika Road, where they burnt two vehicles. They also accused a section of their leaders' of betrayal.

Police were called in to repulse the students. They managed to drive them back into the university grounds and contain them.

The chairman of the students’ union Mr Ababa later blamed the chaos on the existence of splinter students’ unions that divided the voice of the students.

The students complained that the campus faced frequent power blackouts and that food prices had increased dramatically.

The university is to admit fresh students early next month.

Reports by Anthony Kariuki, Benjamin Muindi and Peter Mwai.