Multimedia University students blocked Magadi Road towards Ongata Rongai in Kajiado County on Monday to protest the death of their colleague.
Lameck Wambui Mwangi, a second-year student at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology, was found dead on Sunday, March 9, in what authorities suspect was a hit-and-run accident. The incident sparked outrage among students, who blamed the poor state of the road for the accident.
Students fought running battles with police, paralysing traffic on the road for most of the morning.
The students have blamed the accidents on the newly paved road, which lacks markings and speed bumps.
"We have lost one of our own because of the poor condition of the road. This newly recarpeted road lacks proper markings and speed bumps, putting our lives at risk. How many more lives must we lose before something is done?" said one of the protesting students.
The authorities confirmed that they had been informed of the accident before Mwangi's body was recovered. They assured the students that investigations were underway to establish the circumstances of his death and to identify the driver responsible for the alleged hit-and-run.
"We were called and informed about the accident before we collected the body," the police said.
Speaking to the media, Langata sub-County Police Commander Monica Kimani urged the students to remain calm and allow the investigation to take its course.
"We understand their frustration and pain, but blocking the road and resorting to violence will not solve anything. We are committed to getting to the bottom of this matter," she said.
The police also promised to engage the relevant road agencies to address concerns about speeding and road safety along Magadi Road.
They also promised to investigate and take action, even as they pleaded with students to clear the road.
Multimedia University's Dean of Students, David Obonyo, confirmed his death in a memo to students.
"We regret to announce the untimely demise of LAMECK MWANGI WAMBUI SST-261-115/2023, which occurred on Sunday, 9th March 2025, after a fatal road accident. The late Lameck was a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology," stated Mr Obonyo.
"He hailed from Mwea West sub-County, Kirinyaga County. His interment shall be announced at a later date," he added.
Protests by the university students come as the latest data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that at least 13 people are being killed on the roads every day as road carnage continues to rise, with more than 400 people having lost their lives by the end of January this year compared to last year.
According to the report, 4,748 people lost their lives in road crashes last year, an increase of 424 deaths compared to 2023.
The NTSA said that Saturdays proved to be the most dangerous day to be on the road, recording 855 deaths, up from 782 in 2023.
Sundays followed closely behind with 828 deaths, up from 778 the previous year. Mondays also saw a sharp increase, with 743 fatalities in 2024 compared to 576 in 2023.
Fridays recorded 649 fatalities, slightly higher than the 644 recorded in 2023, while Tuesdays recorded 573 fatalities, up from 477.
Thursdays recorded the fewest fatalities, with 518 compared to 531 in 2023.
hkimuyu@ke,nationmedia.com
