This archive report was first published on 15 November 2019.
University protests in Kenya have become a recurring phenomenon, with students taking to the streets to express their grievances. The most recent incident occurred at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Juja, where students held a peaceful protest that turned chaotic, causing massive disorder in the town and its environs.
According to a memo by the students' association, the protesters were exercising their fundamental right to expression, accusing the local security apparatus of laxity. They claimed that rising insecurity on and around the main campus had led to students being murdered in cold blood.
Traders in Juja were forced to shut their shops and stalls to avoid damage, while the institution ordered all students to vacate the campus. Local residents then joined the police in stopping the angry demonstrators, amid claims by the students that they were robbed and seriously injured.
However, this is ironic, given that the students were protesting against insecurity in the first place. The root causes of these protests include poor management, fee increments, and insecurity on campus.
Universities should charge fees that parents can afford, while examination and graduation fees remain constant. County authorities should also beef up security on and around campuses, as the lives of students are put at risk by robbers and hostile locals.
Effective measures should be put in place to stop such protests instead of brutally attacking innocent students who are only venting their frustration. The neighbouring community should also play a role in ensuring the safety of these students, by reporting incidents of crime or suspicious characters and activities to the police.
Lastly, students have a role in ending the strikes, which usually slow down their academic progress, resulting in delayed graduation. The students' association leaders should work with the university administration on solutions to problems instead of luring their colleagues to engage in violent protests.
