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Kenyatta University students riot over lack of water

By JOEL REYIA March 22nd, 2016 1 min read

Kenyatta University students wreaked havoc as they protested against a water shortage and power blackout in the hostels for about one week.

The enraged students vented their anger on the institution’s property, smashing window panes, bringing down metallic detectors, burning notice boards, looting tuck shops and also causing chaos in the university’s environs.

General Service Unit officers from the Kahawa post arrived at 9pm and hurled tear gas canisters to disperse the rioting students.

A number of students were injured as they engaged the officers in running battles.

Businesses at the Kenyatta Market also closed early for the day when an unknown group of people took advantage of the situation to break into shops outside the university.

Ms Leah Ngugi, a businesswoman whose shop was emptied, said frequent unrest around university campuses posed a problem to small-scale traders.

“My stall, which was all I had, was brought down and not even a matchbox was left of my once growing business,” she said tearfully.

Kenyatta University acting Vice-Chancellor Paul Wainaina condemned the incident, saying a water shortage was no justification to harass other students or engage in wanton destruction of property.

“I’m pleased to report that the administrative division with the assistance of the university’s security department and the law-abiding students were able to restore normalcy,” he said.

Kenyatta University Students Association chairman Sam Were said the water shortage and the blackout had caused anxiety among students but the situation had been addressed.