Six families in Nakuru and Laikipia County are demanding justice following a deadly confrontation between police and students from Laikipia University that left one student dead and several others injured.
19-year-old Ian Mtai, a first-year Bachelor of Education (Science) student, was shot dead during protests on Monday, while five others sustained gunshot wounds as demonstrations turned violent.
Deadly Protest Spark Outrage
The unrest erupted after students accused the university administration of negligence following an incident last Friday at Subukia Falls, where a student was injured during a hiking expedition.
Students claimed that efforts to secure urgent medical assistance from the university were unsuccessful, sparking protests that later escalated into running battles with police along the Nyahururu-Nakuru road, disrupting business for hours.
Police said 16 officers were injured and two vehicles vandalized during the chaos.
Autopsy Confirms Fatal Gunshot
An autopsy conducted at Nyahururu County Referral Hospital confirmed that Mtai died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
According to government pathologist Dr. Wangari Wambugu, the bullet caused extensive internal damage.
“It went through the heart, the aorta and the pulmonary artery, leading to severe internal bleeding,” she said.
Families Call for Accountability
Mtai’s family, who travelled from Trans Nzoia County, is now calling for accountability from authorities investigating the incident.
“We want the school to follow up and establish who killed the student and why. This shows laxity in the management of the institution,” said his father, Dennis Mtai.
In neighboring Nakuru County, another victim, Alex Musyoka, is recovering after surviving gunshot injuries. He is among three students admitted at Nakuru County Referral Hospital, while two others are receiving treatment at Ol-Jabet Hospital.
“He was shot in the chest and the bullet exited through the back. We are asking for justice,” said his father, Dismas Omuko.
Probe Launched, University Closed
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the incident, focusing on the use of force by police during the protests.
Following the unrest, Laikipia University has been closed indefinitely as authorities move to restore calm.
