Ten students at Kibabii University College are nursing serious injuries at Bungoma County Referral Hospital following a clash with motorists and touts in the town.
The students were among 4,000 college students who were violently protesting the killing of their colleague who was hit and killed by a speeding vehicle while crossing the busy Bungoma-Chwele road.
Ant-riot police officers intervened to calm the situation when the students turned against motorists and touts destroying property and hurling stones at motorists. Bungoma South OCPD Kirunya Limbitu said police officers arrested 12 suspects and they will be charged once investigations are complete.
He warned both the students and the touts against engaging in violent demonstrations.
"We have done our part to control the situation. We are asking students to stop violent demonstrations and destroying property. Some students have been injured in the brawl and we have also arrested suspects who will help us with investigation," Mr Limbitu said.
Bungoma South Deputy County Commissioner John Tanui said at least 10 students are receiving medication at the county referral hospital after being beaten by touts and locals.
"The students destroyed property and looted people's shops. They damaged over 10 vehicles at the Bungoma Bus Park, they have destroyed property worth hundreds of thousands of shillings and we are calling for calm in the town," Mr Tanui said.
Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Western region Moses Ombati expressed concern over the riot that took over 12 hours to contain.
He warned students against causing chaos in the town, saying their colleague was killed in a road accident and they should allow the traffic department to carry out investigations.
"The student died in an unfortunate accident and students should remain calm as we investigate the matter. Destroying property will not help solve the problem," Mr Ombati said. The Third Year student was knocked down and killed by a speeding vehicle on Saturday evening.
Touts and boda boda operators later protested from Bungoma town to Kibabii University College but were stopped by police officers before they engaged in pelting stones with students.
Efforts by Kibabii University College Principal Odeo Ipara to calm the touts down failed as they would not listen, forcing him to retreat to the university.
More than 1,800 lives have been lost in the country through road accidents since the year started, with most involving boda bodas.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Nairobi, Nakuru and Kakamega counties are leading with the highest cases of reported road accidents. NTSA Director General Francis Meja attributed the increased cases to violation of traffic rules.
"Since the year started, 1,899 people have died due to road accidents. In Kakamega, we have lost 74 people through accidents," said Mr Meja.
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He said NTSA is in negotiations with the Insurance Regulatory Board to ensure all riders have an insurance cover.
Ombati asked the riders to prioritise their security and beware of "killer" passengers.
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