- Bomet University students took to the streets Tuesday over water shortages and persistent welfare concerns.
- The protesters also demanded action on student safety, infrastructure, sewage disposal and accommodation challenges.
- Police used tear gas as the students marched through Bomet town to present their grievances.
Tension gripped Bomet town on Tuesday after Bomet University students took to the streets to protest over water shortages, poor sewage disposal and a raft of welfare and infrastructure concerns.
The students staged demonstrations in Bomet town and presented their grievances to relevant authorities, demanding urgent intervention from the county government and the university administration over challenges they said had persisted for a long time.
Police lobbed tear gas at the protesters as they demonstrated in Bomet town and its environs.
Among the main grievances was the safety of Chepkosa Dam, where students have reported losing two of their colleagues in separate incidents.
The latest incident occurred on Friday, September 18, when a first-year Bomet University student reportedly drowned at the dam while fetching water. The circumstances surrounding the incident were still being established.
The students said persistent water shortages had forced some of them to seek water from alternative sources, exposing them to safety risks.
Ahead of Tuesday’s demonstration, the Bomet University Students’ Organisation (BUSO) said students would march to Chepkosa Dam and hold a remembrance for the latest victim as well as another student previously reported to have died at the same location.
The protesters said the acute water shortage had affected hostels and parts of the university, while poor sewage drainage and disposal had further exposed students and residents to health risks.
Bomet town has been experiencing persistent water shortages, with some students previously reporting waking up as early as 4am to search for water.
Official county data has also previously shown a significant gap between water demand and supply in Bomet town. The county government said demand had risen to about 4,500 cubic metres, while the Bomet Water Supply Scheme was producing about 1,200 cubic metres against a design capacity of 2,500 cubic metres.
The students also demanded action over Chebirir Bridge, saying the infrastructure problem had affected their movement.
Security was another major concern raised during the demonstrations.
The students complained about inadequate security lighting, saying poorly lit areas around the campus and residential neighbourhoods exposed them to insecurity, particularly at night.
They further protested against what they described as poor rental conditions and arbitrary increases in rent by landlords, saying students were being subjected to difficult living conditions outside the university.
Student leaders push for action
Student leaders, including BUSO President Ruth Zico Kemunto and Secretary-General Obala Francis, have been at the centre of efforts to present the students’ grievances to relevant authorities.
The university’s official records identify Zico as the Students’ Governing Council president and Obala as secretary-general.
The students want the county government to address the water crisis in Bomet town and its environs, improve sewage and drainage systems and provide safe and reliable water to the university community.
They are also demanding action over Chepkosa Dam, investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of students at the facility, completion of Chebirir Bridge and installation of adequate security lights.
The students further want intervention over accommodation challenges, including rental conditions and alleged arbitrary rent increases.
The protests disrupted activities in parts of Bomet town as police responded to the demonstrations with tear gas.
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The students said they would continue pressing the university administration and county government to address their concerns and provide lasting solutions to the challenges affecting their welfare.
By Jeff Kirui
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