Meru University Students Protest Over Killing of Colleague.
Transportation on the busy Meru-Maua highway was brought to a standstill for most of Tuesday, January 28, 2025, as university students demonstrated against the killing of a colleague and the lack of action by authorities.
The protests were sparked by the death of a Meru University student, who was reportedly stabbed around 10 p.m. on Monday night. Hours after the incident, students took to the streets, with the demonstrations continuing throughout the night and intensifying by morning.
Kenyans.co.ke has established that students at Meru University have been grappling with insecurity both on and off campus.
According to the learners, the Mascan Area, in particular, has become a hotspot for criminal activities, with gangs allegedly stalking, attacking, and robbing students. They accused the university administration and local authorities of neglecting their safety concerns.
By midday Tuesday, hundreds of angry students were still on the streets, barricading the Meru-Maua highway. They vowed to remain there until their grievances were addressed.
Police Struggle to Contain Protests
The demonstrations presented a significant challenge for law enforcement officers, who struggled to disperse the large crowds. Videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke revealed chaotic scenes, with students engaging police in running battles. Officers resorted to firing teargas to manage the situation, but tensions remained high.
As night fell, students lit bonfires on the highway, rendering the road impassable. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes as the protests showed no signs of abating.
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Meru University has gained a reputation for frequent student protests in recent years. In one notable incident, students took to the streets to oppose a new university funding model. Prior to that, in 2023, they demonstrated against the dismissal of their Vice-Chancellor, an event that also drew widespread attention.
Broader Wave of Student Unrest
The Meru University protests came just hours after students from Kenyatta University staged their own demonstration. On Monday, they blocked a busy section of Thika Road for hours, citing a week-long power outage at their institution. They issued an ultimatum to the authorities to restore electricity, and normalcy was eventually reinstated after the issue was resolved.
These back-to-back protests highlight the growing frustrations among university students across the country, fueled by grievances ranging from insecurity to poor service delivery.
Meru University Students Protest Over Killing of Colleague
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