Six families in Nakuru and Laikipia Counties are demanding justice after a deadly confrontation between police and Laikipia University students on Monday, March 23, that left one student dead and five others sustaining gunshot wounds.
According to the reports, a 19-year-old Ian Mtai, first-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Education in Science, was shot dead while five other students sustained gunshot wounds.
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.
The students sated that the peaceful protest turned chaotic after the police officers deployed to quell the chaos start using excessive force as they fired live bullets.
The family of the late Ian visited Nyahururu County Referral Hospital morgue, on Wednesday, March 25 where the autopsy confirmed he died after being shot.
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“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, via 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 now asking government agencies probing the case to ensure justice as they mourn a dream cut short too soon.
“We need the University and the investigative officers to move with speed to reveal who killed our son, and why he did it. This shows university negligence towards students’ safety, they must be held accountable.” Dennis Mtai, Ian’s father said
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.
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Musyoka and two others lives were saved after being rushed to Nakuru County Referral Hospital where they continue to receive treatment.
“He was shot in the chest and the bullet veered at the back. Now all I am asking for is justice to my son,” Dismas Omuko, Musyoka’s father said
Two other students who sustained gunshot wounds are admitted to Ol-Jabet Hospital. Police stated that 16 officers were also 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, which has led to the indefinitely closure of the university
By Juma Ndigo
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