Maseno University students today morning, went on a rampage to demand justice following the death of a third-year student who was killed by police following Monday’s countrywide mass action.
William Mayenga, was on Monday killed by police during a scuffle between the students and the police that were trying to calm the students down.
The students went on demonstrations to advocate for affordable cost of living, a demonstration that took place countrywide in what was called mass action, spearheaded by Azimio La Umaoja One Kenya leader, Raila Odinga.
William Mayenga was a third-year literature student until his sudden demise, which was caused by a police officer who used live bullets to scatter the students away instead of using the teargas.
William passed on while being rushed to Coptic hospital for first aid and treatment after being shot in the neck by the police officer who countered the demonstrations.
Following the death of William, the students have involved the police in a bitter exchange while demanding for justice for their colleague.
The students who addressed the media said that the police who stay just a stone’s throw away from the institution have been sleeping on their work of ensuring security, only to come out and use force during peaceful demonstrations to kill one of them.
The demonstrations have made Kisumu-Busia Highway impassable, making those plying the route find an alternative way to their destinations.
Following the death of the student, Kisumu County governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o condemned the police behaviour calling on them to observe professionalism at all times while on duty.
According to Fredrick Were, former student leader, the students were doing peaceful demonstrations and no injuries or looting had occurred until the police used force to quell the students practising their democratic rights.
“We were peacefully demonstrating until the police started throwing teargas at comrades. In fact, nobody was destroyed or injured until they killed William.” Said Were.
“The police should use professionalism and restraint while quelling riots instead of using brutality on unarmed protestors,” said Governor Nyong’o, adding that the concerned authorities should follow up and ensure justice is served to the bereaved family.
“As we send condolence messages to the family of the slain student and Maseno University fraternity, we demand that the police officer who fired the killer bullet be arrested and prosecuted as soon as possible.” Said Governor Nyong’o in a press release.
According to an insider, the police have blamed the students for using the demonstrations as an opportunity to loot the business enterprises around every time they go on a rampage yet blaming the police for lack of being on the lookout for any insecurity
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