Nakuru KMTC riots leave several students injured, property destroyed

At least nine students at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Nakuru campus have been arrested following riots that resulted in destruction of property at the institution.

The college has been closed indefinitely, following the Sunday night unrest which left several students injured.

Nakuru Police Commander Mr Hassan Barua, who confirmed the arrest, said police were still investigating the students’ involvement in destruction of property at the institution.

Mr Barua confirmed that police were holding the nine students who were arrested for questioning.

Sources who spoke to Nation indicated that the students were protesting over several issues, among them power and water rationing, lack of free Wifi at the institution, shortage of printing papers and marker pens.

They were also angered by constant monitoring of students movement by night guards. Male students, allegedly, want to be allowed to freely visit the female hostels without restriction.

The students broke into the institution’s registry and destroyed several office equipment, including computers and telephones.

Nation found a trail of destruction following the rampage, with broken glasses and students’ personal belongings strewn along corridors and the dining rooms.

Broken glasses scattered the corridor leading to the office of the college Principal Mr Wilson Bii while the dining had broken glasses strewn all over the hall.

Some of the students told Nation that their colleagues broke into the Accounts office and made away with unspecified amount of money, claims that were, however, dismissed by the KMTC Publicity Officer Mr Kamau Maina. He said the cash safe was still intact.

“The rioting students only managed to destroy one computer and broke into the warden’s office and caused considerable damage at the kitchen which they ransacked before they were overpowered by police,” the officer said.
According to the officer, initial investigations indicate that a power blackout was the main cause of the rampage that saw a number of students injured as they scampered for safety in the darkness.

He said the college has more than 1,000 students but the ring leaders of the riots were about 50 students.

According to a student, tension has been rising at the college after students raised a number of grievances which they wanted the management to address.
The student alleged the male students do not want to be forced to shave their beards.

However, Mr Maina said that some of the students were to blame for the power blackouts at the college as they cooked in their rooms, contrary to the rules and regulations.