Students from Multimedia University, Ongata Rongai, Nairobi, have taken to the streets over delayed release of HELB funds.
Their protests created a standstill on Tuesday morning along Magadi Road which is the main entry into Ongata Rongai Town, Kajiado County.
Students lit fires and barricaded the road using stones as they chanted solidarity songs.
Videos making rounds on social media showed the enraged students engaging police officers in running battles as teargas filled the air.
KUSO President Calls For Protests
Anthony Manyara, president of Kenya Universities’ Students organisations called for nationwide strike in unviersities the previous day.
“We urge all the comrades to come out in large numbers on Tuesday 3rd of October for a mass and peaceful demonstration, because HELB has failed to meet what we expected,” he stated.
Amid the ongoing chaos at Multimedia University today, Manyara maintained that student leaders would hold a press conference after the demos.
Babu Owino Speaks For University Students
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, who was a student leader at University of Nairobi, raised alarm a few days ago, saying that comrades are starving.
“Comrades are very hungry and angry at the same time. Students cannot go to class because HELB has not been released hence cannot pay fees.
“Students cannot buy food…cannot afford accommodation because there is no money. Students cannot get money for transport…” Babu Owino was quoted as saying.
Last month, HELB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Ringera spoke on the subject while assuring new and continuing students that the money would be disbursed in early October.
“We are still following up with the Ministry, which is also following up with the Treasury for release of funds and as of now we have not released any money to continuing students or the ones coming in for the first time,” he added.
