By Obegi Malack
@obegimalack
The Cooperative University of Kenya students have held demonstrations in Gataka town over a brutal murder of their colleague.
22-year-old Vincent Omwamba was attacked by unknown people on Wednesday night on his way to his residence in Riverside area.
The deceased, who is fondly known as Mwamba by colleagues, was stabbed and succumbed to his injuries.
The students blocked the busy Gataka Road for a better part of Thursday morning, but police later controlled the situation and arrested their leaders who were later released.
Kajiado North Sub-county police commander Joakim Mecha said the student was stabbed and his phone stolen. Investigations are ongoing to arrest the criminals.
Students who spoke to Education News said the deceased joined the university in 2018 and was a humble person who supported his fellow students.
One of the students who was arrested and later released said incidents of insecurity have risen in the area and demanded that police should increase patrols.
“If the security team is not going to do anything, we shall talk to comrades and they will take charge of security in this area. We want justice for our comrade,” he said.
The students complained that those who breached peace in the area were arrested and later released.
Another student who identified herself as ‘Sunshine’ said she moved out of a rental house near the murder scene after several cases of lawlessness were reported.
“I was told to move out to another place. I left the deceased on the plot,” she said.
She noted that another student was murdered earlier this month.
Empakasi location Assistant Chief Peter Kamau said they have tried to eliminate illicit brews in the town, only to see wines and spirits businesses mushrooming.
He said the Kajiado County licensing board should limit the number of liquor licenses issued in the town since most inhabitants are students. He also called on landlords to erect lights on their roads.
Gataka town is one of the fastest growing urban centres in Kajiado County. Most businesses have been moved from congested Ongata Rongai to the centre.
