Traffic on the Meru-Nairobi Highway came to a halt as hundreds of Chuka University students protested against frequent accidents on the road.
The students, frustrated by the rise in accidents, blamed the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and demanded immediate action to improve road safety. During the protest, the students blocked the highway with stones and burned tires, causing a complete standstill.
Their goal is to pressure KeNHA into redesigning the road to prevent further accidents. The protests broke out after a tragic accident on the highway the previous day, where a student lost their life.
Reports say the student, along with two others, was hit by a speeding vehicle. This incident added to a series of fatal accidents that have deeply concerned the university community. James Kariuki, the Secretary-General of Chuka University Student Association, voiced the students’ frustration.
“This is to bring to your attention that Chuka University has lost a comrade in a tragic accident along the Meru-Nairobi Highway,” Kariuki stated. “We have continuously voiced our grievances to the County Government and KeNHA for proper safety measures, bumps, barricades, and zebra crossings to protect our lives.”
Kariuki expressed anger over repeated appeals that have gone unanswered. “Despite countless appeals and reminders, our calls for safety remain ignored,” he continued. “This is not the first time a comrade has died in an accident, we are sick and tired of this disregard.”
The students emphasized that they need effective safety measures on the road to prevent more tragedies. They hope that by blocking the highway, KENHA and the county government will finally take action.
