Police sent to quell rioting Kenyatta University students were forced to scamper for safety after they were visibly overwhelmed by the pressing crowds.
Videos have since emerged online showing police officers jumping into a police lorry and dashing off before the angry crowd runs into them.
GSU have stopped rioting and retreated #KenyattaUniversity pic.twitter.com/2KXVVWj6yb
— K. Rusoi (@KRusoi) October 8, 2019
The students have been on the roads from Monday when they began the protests, decrying a hike in graduation fees, indiscriminate sacking of University staff and the reduction of the fee completion window ahead of final examinations.
Police have been having a hard time controlling the large student population after they managed to paralyze transport at the busy Thika SuperHighway.
Kenyatta University has hired a few hooligans who are taking advantage of the situation to destroy property#KenyattaUniversity pic.twitter.com/ngNoStmobb
— Chusuuz (@Onsombi_) October 8, 2019
the students have also voiced concerns on the suspension of student leaders, saying they are punished for “petty issues” and also the hiking of supplementary examinations to Ksh2500.
“Sacking of casual workers without notice, almost 700 workers lost their jobs which is unfair,” read a memo by Joshua Ayika, the Kenyatta University Students’ Association (KUSA) President.
“Hiking of graduation fee From Ksh.3500 to Ksh.6000 without our body being informed,” he added.
Happening now at #KenyattaUniversity #WainainaMustGo pic.twitter.com/ARaBBwgjQw
— branitto (@branitto2) October 8, 2019
The students are now demanding the resignation of the school’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Paul Wainaina over what the student leaders call “historical injustices.”
Tension remains high at the learning institution even as sections of students travel away for fear of being caught in the cross-hairs of the running battles.