Six families in Nakuru County and Laikipia County are demanding justice after a violent confrontation between police and students from Laikipia University on Monday left one student dead and five others wounded by gunfire.
The unrest erupted after students protested the university administration’s alleged negligence following an accident at Subukia Falls, where a student slipped and was injured during a hiking expedition last Friday. Efforts by the injured student and peers to obtain timely medical assistance reportedly went unanswered.
Fatal Shooting and Injuries
19-year-old Ian Mtai, a first-year Bachelor of Education in Science student, was fatally shot during the protest. Five other students sustained gunshot wounds, with some receiving treatment at Nakuru County Referral Hospital and Ol-Jabet Hospital.
Government pathologist Dr. Wangari Wambugu confirmed that Mtai died from a single gunshot wound to the chest that passed through the heart, aorta, and pulmonary artery, causing massive internal bleeding.
Family Demands Justice
Mtai’s family, who traveled from Trans Nzoia County, is urging authorities to identify those responsible for his death.
“We want the school to follow up and find out who killed our child and why he was shot. This shows negligence in the management of the university,” said Dennis Mtai, Ian’s father.
Among the wounded, Alex Musyoka recounted surviving a chest gunshot that exited his back. His father, Dismas Omuko, emphasized the need for accountability,
“Now we ask that justice be done; our child’s life was nearly lost.”
Police and Property Damage
Police reported that 16 officers sustained injuries during the unrest, and two police vehicles were vandalized as demonstrations escalated. Students accused the officers of using excessive force, including firing live rounds, to suppress the protest.
Investigations and University Closure
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, Laikipia University has been closed indefinitely as authorities assess the situation and work to prevent further violence.
The deadly clash has intensified calls for stricter protocols on campus safety and accountability from both university administration and law enforcement. Families of the victims continue to seek justice while grieving a tragic loss that has shocked the academic community.
