Tension gripped the Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) along Magadi Road after protests erupted over the shooting and injury of two students by police during demonstrations linked to an ongoing lecturers' strike.
The unrest began when students took to the streets to express their frustration over the abrupt suspension of university examinations. According to students, the examinations could not proceed after striking lecturers declined to invigilate scheduled tests, leaving many learners uncertain about their academic future.
The situation escalated when anti-riot police moved in to disperse the demonstrators. During the confrontation, officers reportedly used live ammunition, resulting in two students sustaining serious gunshot wounds.
The injured students were rushed to the hospital and are currently receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital, where they remain in serious condition. Several other students who suffered minor injuries were treated and later discharged.
News of the shootings quickly spread across the university community, triggering a second and more intense wave of demonstrations. Angry students returned to the streets demanding accountability from law enforcement officers involved in the incident and calling for investigations into the use of force during the protest.
Witnesses reported heightened tension around the university as students condemned what they described as excessive police action against unarmed demonstrators. The protests also highlighted growing frustration over the prolonged lecturers' strike, which has disrupted academic programs and left students uncertain about examination schedules and graduation timelines.
The incident has renewed concerns about the handling of student demonstrations in the country, with calls mounting for authorities to ensure the safety of learners while addressing grievances through dialogue rather than force.
Source Attributed: The Standard