Transport along the Murang’a-Kenol highway was disrupted on Thursday morning as students from Murang’a Teachers College staged a protest. The students were protesting against the college administration, accusing it of poor management and governance. Despite several attempts to raise their concerns with the administration, they claimed their grievances were ignored, leading them to demonstrate.
The protesting students barricaded the busy highway, forcing motorists to find alternative routes. Footage shared online showed the students marching along the road, holding twigs and demanding the dismissal of the school principal. They also vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands were met.
This incident is part of a growing trend of student protests across the country. Just last week, Karatina University in Nyeri County was closed indefinitely after students held protests over high matatu fares and the cost of private hostel rent. During these protests, students blocked the main highway leading to Karatina Town using rocks, causing a traffic jam. The students’ standoff with local landlords escalated, prompting the police to intervene and disperse them.
In response to the Karatina University protests, the institution released a statement directing all students to vacate the premises immediately. The statement read, “The First Semester of the 2024/2025 Academic Year activities are suspended effective today, Wednesday, 25th September 2024. All students should vacate the university premises with immediate effect latest by 3:00 pm.”
These events highlight a broader issue of student unrest in colleges and universities across Kenya, driven by unresolved issues such as the high cost of living, poor governance in institutions, and unmet demands for better management. The protests have caused significant disruptions, not only to learning but also to public transport and business activities in affected areas.
By Kenyans