Tension high at Egerton University after night student rampage
Some Egerton University staff assess the damage at the gate after students went on a rampage on Monday night and destroyed property worth hundreds of thousands of shillings. The students were venting their anger on the rising insecurity at the Njoro Campus after a female student was stabbed by unknown people while walking to her hostel room.
Tension remains high at Egerton University in Nakuru County after a violent incident on Monday night left a female student injured.
Following the stabbing, university property worth hundreds of thousands of shillings was destroyed by angry students in an overnight rampage at the campus.
According to learners who spoke to the Nation, trouble began at around 8pm when the student was attacked by unknown assailants while on her way to a hostel. She suffered deep cuts to her face, chest and head, and was rushed to a hospital.
After the attack, students regrouped at the university gate and began breaking into a food store stocked with cereals, looting everything including fresh food in the fridge. The store also contained primary and secondary school textbooks, which were destroyed during the chaos.
In the confusion, school uniforms and planting seeds developed by the university’s researchers were stolen or destroyed.
A senior staff member at the food store reported that a fridge was burnt to ashes while desks and other equipment were also damaged.
Egerton University staff assess the damage at a food store after students went on a rampage.
A staff car parked outside the store was also targeted with a stone smashing its windscreen. According to a security guard, two police officers stationed at the gate were overpowered by the large crowd and were unable to stop the looting and destruction.
“The students were too many...they couldn’t do anything to stop the looting,” said the guard.
On Tuesday, Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Kibwage condemned the violence. He stated that the students and “goons near the gate" had teamed up to cause chaos and destruction.
“They joined forces to loot and destroy university property,” he said.
Students: why we did it
Some students who spoke to the Nation expressed frustration, saying they were driven to destroy university property because the administration had failed to address insecurity.
“We’ve reported several attacks by armed thugs but no action has been taken,” said one student.
Another, a third-year student, said: “When darkness falls at Egerton, we are at the mercy of armed thugs. Our lives are in danger.”
A source at the university said insecurity has been a concern, with staff not being spared. A senior staff member’s house was broken into earlier this year and valuables stolen.
“One official is lucky to be alive after gangs broke into his house,” the source said.
On Tuesday, the entrance to the university was blocked as security officers and university staff sifted through the debris, gathering evidence and documents scattered around the area. The food store was reduced to a garbage heap with burnt items, including cereals and books, strewn all over.
Njoro Sub-County Police Commander David Apima said no arrests have been made, but assured that an investigation were underway. He said CCTV footage had not been retrieved to assist police in identifying the suspects.
“We are in control of the situation. Officers are on the ground to ensure safety and calm,” he said.
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