This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
On October 14, 2019, Pwani University in Kilifi descended into chaos as students went on strike, sparking a violent confrontation with police.
According to reports, the students were protesting against the university's decision to suspend some of their peers over fees arrears.
Police were called in to quell the situation, but their efforts only led to running battles with the students, who were met with teargas canisters.
Videos later surfaced online showing students trying to flee from the melee and others screaming as sounds of gunshots rent the air.
One of the videos captured two men in police gear roughing up some of the students who were cornered and lay on the ground.
A man's voice was heard in the background saying: “Hii ndio matunda….mwajifanya hamsikiii nyinyi? Hii ndio matunda.”
The university has since been shut down indefinitely, with the senate deciding to close the institution on October 14, 2019, following the students' unrest and the subsequent damage caused to university property.
This is not the first time Pwani University has been closed due to student unrest, with the last incident occurring in 2016.
