Protests at Kabete Polytechnic, Multimedia University as Students Clash With Police.
Kabete National Polytechnic was indefinitely closed on Tuesday following student protests.
The students took to the streets, voicing opposition to the recent hike in examination fees introduced by the institution’s management. Additionally, they protested against a newly enforced dress code.
During the demonstrations, the students forced out Chief Principal Patrick Muchemi from his office and caused damage to the premises.
Police from Kabete Police Station intervened to restore traffic flow on Waiyaki Way, which had been disrupted by the protestors.
Following the unrest, the administration released a memo instructing students to vacate the institution immediately.
The communication confirmed the indefinite closure of the polytechnic and required all students to leave the campus without delay.
Running Battles at Multimedia University
Meanwhile, several kilometers away, protests by students from Multimedia University of Kenya similarly disrupted traffic along Magadi Road in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County.
The students raised concerns about the poor condition of their hostels, particularly pointing to unsanitary conditions, old and dirty facilities, and inadequate maintenance.
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Clashes erupted between the protesting students and anti-riot police, resulting in injuries to some of the students.
The secretary-general of the Multimedia University of Kenya Students Association (MUKSA), Remmy Osoti, highlighted the dire water shortage in the hostels, noting that many students were struggling due to a lack of clean water and poor hygiene.
One student complained about the state of the hostels, mentioning that they had not showered for a week due to the water shortage, while the administration failed to address the issue.
Additional Complaints: Power and Connectivity Issues
The students also reported other grievances, including inconsistent power supply, malfunctioning sockets, lack of Wi-Fi connectivity, and insufficient seating in the hostels, all of which affected their studies and daily lives.
The university administration later responded, attributing the water shortage to a damaged main water pipe that had disrupted the supply.
The university’s corporate affairs manager, Mutia Mwandikwa, stated that the issue had been resolved, with water supply restored across the campus the previous night.
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While acknowledging the restoration of services, Mwandikwa noted that some students were still demonstrating within the university grounds.
He assured that the university’s senior management team was actively engaging with student leaders to address their concerns and restore normalcy as soon as possible.
Protests at Kabete Polytechnic, Multimedia University as Students Clash With Police.
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