Gusii Institute of Technology in Kisii closed after wave of riots

Gusii Institute of Technology in Kisii County has been closed indefinitely following riots on Wednesday.

The Principal Atanas Mokaya told the Nation by phone that the decision was taken to protect property in the institution from damage and prevent vandalism.

“We closed the school because the students were harassing members of the neighbouring community. We want to protect property both outside and inside the school from destruction,” Mr Mokaya said.

He said the decision to close the institution was reached at after a meeting with the board of management.

He added that the board will meet next week to determine when the school will be reopened.

He however said he did not know the reason for the students’ recent behaviour when they blocked the Kisii-Keroka highway Wednesday evening paralysing transport.

PELTED VEHICLES WITH STONES

Motorists were compelled to use alternative routes as the students pelted their vehicles with stones.

Those brave enough were being forced to part with money to be allowed to pass through.

This is the second time in less than a week that the students have barricaded the roads.

County Director of Technical Education Mr Lucas Ocharo expressed concern over incident.

“This is a matter that is worrying us.

“We are indeed very concerned. We do not want to see this happening in our institutions,” he said on Wednesday.

Last week, the students set a blaze eight cars and vandalised a petrol station in protest over the death of two people who were killed in an accident.

The students engaged police in running battles for several hours, rendering the same highway impassable.