The Chuka University hierarchy has stepped forward to reassure students of their safety following demonstrations occasioned by a road accident that killed one of them.
University Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Henry Mutembei assured the students that the government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that the Meru-Nairobi Highway segment at the university is secure.
This comes in the wake of student protests witnessed along the road on Monday after a second year student lost her life and another was left critically injured in a tragic accident along the highway at Ndagani on Saturday.
The VC said the Ministry of Transport, through CS Davis Chirchir, has promised to construct a flyover and erect rumble bumps at the university section of the road.
He said the ministry has also promised to establish properly indicated speed limit signs and zebra crossings. The ministry will also oversee the construction of footpaths on the highway.
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“The Transport CS has assured us that Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is on site and they will ensure a footbridge and footpaths are constructed and rumble bumps erected. We are also going to have well indicated speed limit signs and zebra crossings,” he said.
Prof Mutembei called on motorists to exercise caution on the roads and asked the students to remain calm as the university continues to engage with the government to ensure the promises made are fulfilled.
“If the driver was careful, we would not have lost a life. All motorists should be careful. To the students, we have heard you, let us maintain our calm as the university continues engaging the government. The transport CS has responded well and we expect all those promises to be followed to bring safety to our students who are usually calm,” he said.
University Council Chairman Prof David Serem, while sending his condolences to the family of the second-year student, called on the government to take action to ensure the safety of road users especially pedestrians are guaranteed.
Last week Saturday at around 5:30 pm, a road accident involving a Toyota Fielder and a Probox happened along the Meru-Nairobi highway at Ndagani. The Probox veered off the road and hit two students who were strolling on the side walk.
Both were rushed to Chuka Referral Hospital where one succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment.
Later on Monday, hundreds of students engaged the police in running battles around the area and parts of Chuka town, with the police being forced to lob teargas to disperse the charged crowds. The 8-hour long protests paralyzed activities along the highway as students barricaded major sections.
By John Majau
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