Three Moi University students are currently receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital after reportedly being shot during riots on Thursday night. The riots erupted following the university management’s decision to close the institution indefinitely, which sparked anger among the students.
The injured include a first-year male student who suffered a ruptured kidney due to a gunshot wound, as well as two other students in their third and fifth years, who also sustained gunshot injuries. Moi University Students Organization (MUSO) Secretary General Cornelius Kipkoech and President Vincent Tarus visited their injured colleagues and condemned the use of excessive force by the police in dispersing the protests.
The student leaders criticized both the government and the police, holding them responsible for the violence that led to their colleagues’ injuries. Kipkoech called on President William Ruto to intervene and prevent the university from further deteriorating.
Noel Otieno, the chairperson of the postgraduate students, echoed these concerns, stating that Moi University is on the verge of collapse. He highlighted that there had been no classes for the past two months, despite parents having already paid fees.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi confirmed the occurrence of riots and stated that investigations were underway to determine the exact events leading to the shootings.