Laikipia University closed after students rampage

Laikipia University, Nakuru town campus has been closed after students went on the rampage on Thursday morning and engaged police in running battles as they protested the death of a student in a hit-and-run case.

The second year student identified as Austin Rotich, was hit by a Royal Rift shuttle matatu as he crossed the road at 8pm on Wednesday night on the Nakuru- Eldoret highway. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the St Mary’s Mission hospital in Gilgil.

Police were forced to fire in the air and lob teargas canisters to disperse the students who had blocked the Nakuru-Nairobi highway.

Police in running battles with Laikipia University students who have barricaded Nairobi-Nakuru highway to protest after a colleague was knocked down by a speeding car, dying on the spot. pic.twitter.com/LpJpMkTGRz

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 23, 2017

According to the Laikipia University students, the area near the university’s main gate has become a notorious black spot with about five students having been knocked down since the campus was established.

The university students have called on the Kenya National Highways Authority- KeNHA to erect bumps around that area, considering there is a university and a primary school nearby.