Seven Laikipia University students arrested during protest

By James Munyeki

Laikipia, Kenya: Seven students from Laikipia University in Nyahururu have been arrested after participating in an illegal demonstration.

The students from Nyahururu town campus had thronged the streets of Nyahururu town accusing the school management of offering poor learning conditions.

They had paralysed business along the streets of the town as they matched towards the main campus some seven kilometers away.

Police led by Nyandarua county acting commander Benjamin Onsongo led a contingent of armed police men in thwarting the demon where the seven were arrested.

“We are holding them here at Nyahururu police station as we believe they are the ones who led the demonstration. The match was illegal as we had advised them to first seek dialogue with the management which they did not do,” said Onsongo.

Among the grievances were that they be provided with examination transcripts, a library and internet access.

According to one of their spokesmen Peter Kagio, they had not been provided with transcripts for the last three years.

“Some of us are in the third year and yet we do not know how we fair in the examinations. We fear that we might even been underperforming compared to our colleagues in other campuses,” he noted.

He said that no explanation has been given concerning the matter.

He said that they were straining to get reading materials as the campus had no library.

Contacted, School vice chancellor Francis Lelo said they were addressing the issues raised by the students.