Ten students admitted to hospital after Masinde Muliro varsity riots
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology students in Kakamega leave campus grounds following its closure after a strike in the past. The university was Monday night closed indefinitely following riots that left 12 students injured. BY ISAAC WALE
Ten Masinde Muliro University students were Tuesday admitted to hospital and the institution closed indefinitely after they went on rampage destroying property on Monday.
The students -two of them female – were admitted to the Provincial General hospital with cuts and bruises sustained in a confrontation with boda boda (motorcycle) men at Lurambi estate in Kakamega.
At least 40 others were treated for minor injuries and discharged. The riots were sparked off by a group of students who complained of anomalies in the registration of those cleared to sit for end of semester exams.
Vice Chancellor Prof Frederick Otieno described the incident as unfortunate and accused outsiders of inciting students.
He said politicians and outsiders who were uneasy about changes taking place at the university to make the institution financially self sustaining had mobilised students to cause mayhem.
He said three Deputy Vice Chancellors were available to address complaints from students whose names were missing from the nominal rolls to enable them sit exams but the students ended up engaging in chaos.
“We want to send a strong message to the forces of impunity that we shall not relent in our efforts to tackle corruption and clean up the university to make it financially self sustaining,” said Prof Otieno.
He said the university Senate would meet to announce a date for reopening to avoid disrupting the academic programme for fourth-year students who are expected to graduate at the end of the year.
During the riots, the students besieged the Vice Chancellor’s office demanding to have the registration hitch sorted out so that they could be allowed to sit for the exams.
Riot police were forced to disperse the group after the students turned rowdy and pelted the Vice Chancellor’s office, smashing window panes and lit bonfires in the compound.
A confrontation erupted at Lurambi market when the students started harassing motorists and set on fires three motorcycles and several bicycles.
Angry boda boda operators armed themselves with clubs and metal bars, and set upon students who were walking to their hostels located in residential estates.
First year student, John Batroba sustained burns on his right hand and back after an attacker splashed hot water on him.
The acting Medical Superintendent Dr John Akoto said the injured students were in stable condition.
His roommate, Eric Barasa from Kitale had a swollen arm after he was hit with a club when he went to his rescue his colleague. He said the gang that broken into their room stole their mobile phones, cash and laptops.
