Kisumu Polytechnic students go on strike

A number of students at Kisumu Polytechnic have been sent home after staging protests on Monday morning.

For the better part of the morning, roads near the institution were impassable as the police engaged students in running battles.

The learners said they were protesting insecurity in the area, the administration's alleged fee increase, among other issues.

The riots commenced early morning following a notice by student leaders asking their colleagues to keep off classes.

In the notice signed by Kisumu National Polytechnic Student Association (KINOPSA) Secretary General Mr Amos Oduor and Chairman Mr Joseph Mbaka, the students said they resorted to the protests because the administration had failed to address their grievances.

"Due to unaddressed grievances such as increase in fees and abuse of office by certain individuals, we have therefore decided to exercise our constitutional rights which allows us to peacefully and hold those in power to account," read part of the notice.

The students gathered at the institution's basketball court and after speeches went to the streets.

RIOT POLICE

They blocked the Kondele-Nyamasaria by-pass as well as the Nairobi Road paralysing transport before they were dispersed by anti-riot police.

According to Mr Gregory Okoth Kajwang, the association's President, other reasons for the strike included student frustration by the deputy principal amid claims of forceful deferment of students.

"We are against the forceful deferment of 1000 students by the deputy principal, tribalism in the administration and unlawful demotion of lecturers who were in the registry," said Mr Kajwang’.

By 11 am, police were still holed up at the institution for any eventuality.

They engaged the students in running battles around the Moi stadium and used teargas canisters to disperse them.