By Vincent Bartoo
Eight Moi University students were arraigned in an Eldoret court and charged with robbery.
The students were accused of stealing a vehicle on Tuesday during a peaceful demonstration that turned tragic.
The accused were among students who commandeered the vehicle before it was involved in an accident, killing one of them.
The students were protesting at high fares charged by matatus plying the institution route.
The charge sheet read that on September 22, they stole a vehicle belonging to Mr Boaz Kipyego worth Sh700,000.
The accused included Peter Ouma, Charles Odongo, Bosire Osman, Quintas Wesonga, Oprong Jolly, Wycliffe Otieno, Sadala Kipruto and Stephen Juma.
Denied charges
Some of the students were brought to court in bandages. They denied the charges.
Police were holding others at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where they were taken for treatment after the accident.
They are to appear in court to face similar charges.Eldoret Senior Resident Magistrate David Kemei slapped a Sh200,000 bond on each student with two similar sureties before their release.
Pleas by the students, who were unrepresented, to seek reduced bond were met with a stern reprimand.
"This offence is serious and can attract a life sentence. You should have known better not to take the law into your hands," the magistrate said.
