One student killed, 5 others injured during Laikipia University protests

Ian Mtai was shot dead during demonstrations against the university administration. The students were protesting the alleged failure of the administration to promptly respond to a case where a student slipped and fell during a hiking expedition at the Subukia Falls last Friday. Sixteen police officers were injured during the deadly protests.

Business along the Nyahururu–Nakuru road was disrupted for hours on Monday as students from Laikipia University engaged police in running battles, protesting what they claimed was negligence from the administration. 

The unrest followed an incident last Friday where a student was injured during a hiking trip at Subukia Falls and efforts to get urgent medical assistance from the university were futile.

Students stated that police officers deployed to quell the chaos used excessive force as they fired live bullets. 

In the deadly confrontation, 19-year-old Ian Mtai, a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Education in Science, was shot dead. Five other students sustained gunshot wounds.

On Wednesday, the family of the late Ian visited Nyahururu County Referral Hospital morgue where the autopsy confirmed he died after being shot.

"He had a single gunshot wound to the chest. It was going through the middle of the chest and exiting at the back. Along that path it went through the heart, it went through the aorta and also pulmonary artery. There was a lot of internal bleeding," Dr. Wangari Wambugu, government pathologist, noted. 

The family, which traveled from Trans Nzoia County, is asking government agencies probing the case to ensure justice as they mourn a dream cut short too soon.

"Tunataka shule ifuatilie ijue ni nani aliua mwanafunzi huyo na ni kwa nini aliuawa kwa sababu hiyo inayonyesha ulegevu katika usimamizi wa shule," Dennis Mtai, Ian’s father, implored. 

In the neighbouring Nakuru County, Alex Musyoka counts himself lucky after he cheated death. He was among five other students who sustained gunshot wounds on the fateful day when police opened fire.

Musyoka and two others were rushed to Nakuru County Referral Hospital where they continue to receive treatment.

"Alipigwa risasi kifua ikatokelezea upande wa nyuma. Sasa naomba tu haki itendeke, mtoto huyu ni wa kwanza wa kiume wa kwanza," Dismas Omuko, Musyoka’s father, pointed out. 

Two other students who sustained gunshot wounds are admitted to Ol-Jabet Hospital. Police stated that 16 officers were injured during the confrontation and two police vehicles vandalized after protesters turned violent.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the incident. Following the unrest, Laikipia University was closed indefinitely.