By Steve Mkawale

Egerton University students went on the rampage, destroying property worth more than Sh7 million at the Njoro main campus.

Scores of students were injured during the Thursday night mayhem that left a trail of destruction in residential and dinning halls.

The students, who were protesting against frequent power outages, accused the institution’s management of taking long to address their grievances.

"There is a communication breakdown in this institution. Rwenzori hall of residence has been without electricity for the past two weeks, but no one has bothered to address the issue," said Victor Odhiambo.

Odhiambo said a student who attempted to stop his colleagues from destroying property, was injured when his colleagues roughed him up.

A number of female students at the Lavington bloc suffered injuries when stones shattered windowpanes of their rooms.

A group of rowdy students attacked their colleagues at Maringo, Uganda and Lavington halls of residence.

Isaac Napali, a second year student, blamed the riot on hard economic times, which he claimed had taken a physical and emotional toll on some of his colleagues.

"It is clear that some students are frustrated because they cannot afford meals and the administration plans to increase fees by Sh8,000," claimed Napali.

The hard times have forced students to cook in the halls of residence, causing frequent power outages. The university management does not allow cooking in the halls.

But a student told The Standard on Saturday many opt to cook as the food offered in the dining halls was little and badly cooked.

"Some students carry food to last them for months so they can save money," said Isaac Kiara.

The university spokesman Ken Ramani said they were investigating to establish the ringleaders.