Masinde Muliro University closed indefinitely after riots over fees increase

Police officers on guard at the gate of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology on October 5, 2016 after students protesting newly imposed higher fees blocked the Kakamega-Webuye road. The university has been closed indefinitely. PHOTO | ISAAC WALE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Students at the university have been on the rampage for three days protesting the institution's decision to raise fees.
  • During the protests, students stoned a building used by security officers and barricaded the Kakamega-Webuye road.
  • County Police Commander Tito Kilonzi said tension had risen after a group of students started damaging property.
  • Student leader Winnie Opiyo said the students could not afford new fees amounting to Sh29,500 per semester.

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has been closed indefinitely following three days of riots by students protesting higher fees.

Through an internal memo dated October 6, 2016 and signed by the university's acting registrar, C.K. Onyancha, all undergraduate students at the main campus were told to leave the Kakamega-based institution on Thursday morning.

However, the decision to close the university will not affect postgraduate students at any of its affiliate campuses.

"It has been noted that the disruption of normal running of the university had persisted, students and lecturers have been ejected from lecture rooms for a third day and some university property has been destroyed by some groups of students," said Dr Onyancha.

"This goes against the university rules and regulations governing student discipline. The university senate has resolved to close the university to all undergraduate [students] in the main campus," he added.

Students at the university had been on the rampage for three days in a row protesting the decision to raise fees.

ANTI-RIOT POLICE

On Wednesday evening, anti-riot police officers stormed the university after a confrontation erupted between protesting students and security officials.

The move caused confusion and restlessness at the campus and it was feared that the riots would spill over to Thursday.

During the Wednesday evening protests, students stoned a building used by security officers and barricaded the Kakamega-Webuye road.

Kakamega County Police Commander Tito Kilonzi told the Nation that tension had risen after a group of students started damaging property.

The protests disrupted learning on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after students learnt that the senate had declined to review the fees and the newly introduced charges.

“We have been monitoring the situation and decided to send in police officers to carry out patrols and protect property,” said Mr Kilonzi.

FEES UNAFFORDABLE

Winnie Opiyo, the head of the students’ organisation, and secretary Daudi Kemboi said the university senate had ruled out reviewing fees and other charges.

“Tension started building at the university after students learnt that the senate was not ready to open discussions on the issue of fees and other charges, leading to confrontations with security officials,” said Ms Opiyo.

She said the students could not afford new fees amounting to Sh29,500 per semester.

The students are also protesting against the introduction of a Sh3,000 fee for library services and Sh5,000 for ICT.

Ms Opiyo noted that accommodation charges for first-year students who reported last month had gone up from Sh5,000 to Sh16,000.