Transport was paralyzed along Magadi Road in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County on Tuesday September 17, 2024 in the morning after Multimedia University students protested.

According to the students, the university administration failed to heed their demands. 

Remmy Osoti, the students’ secretary general, said that the school failed to restore water inside the hostels.

“Our young brothers and sisters residing within the hostels have had it rough for lack of water, struggling with poor hygiene,” Osoti said.

The students claimed lack of water was putting their lives at risk of diseases like cholera and typhoid.

“Wengine wetu hatujaoga wiki Moja Sasa, vyoo ni vichafu zaidi, hostels zinauvundo” a student said.

Other issues raised by the students include the lack of electricity within the hostels, broken sockets, and lack of wifi connectivity which they claimed has immensely hampered their learning activities.

The students also faulted lack of seats for students within the hostels, a  situation causing inconvenience.

They further revealed that their efforts to engage the school administration bore no fruit despite issuing a strike notice last Tuesday.

During the demonstrations, the students barricaded the highway forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.

On the other hand, the university administration issued a statement clarifying that the water shortage at the institution was as a result of  a damaged main water pipe that affected the regular flow of water to the university.

Multimedia University Corporate Affairs Manager Mutia Mwandikwa noted that the University Management took immediate action and has worked tirelessly to resolve the problem.

“We are pleased to inform students and all stakeholders that the water supply was restored last night, and normal flow is now continuing across the university. 

“We acknowledge that despite the restoration, some students are still expressing concerns through demonstrations, which are currently confined to the university premises,” stated Mutia. 

He added that the MMU senior Management team of DVC-Academic Affairs, Research & Innovation, DVC-Administration, Finance & Planning and the Registrar Academic Affairs were on campus managing the situation and engaging the student leadership to address their concerns and ensure a swift return to normalcy.

Written by Judy Wilson.