Kibabii University closed after drunk driver hits campus girl

Kibabii University was closed indefinitely after students went on rampage following a car accident at the varsity car park.

An unidentified driver at one of the university’s parking lots hit Mercy Mutheu — a student — on March 22 during Career and Cultural week at the campus.

According to eye witnesses, the driver fled after hitting the student.

“The event was moving smoothly until a driver hit a female student as he drove out of the compound. He (driver) was drunk and that angered the students even more,” Faith Matayen, the students’ vice president said.

The event had to end at that point because students ruthlessly manifested their anger by destroying the varsity buildings and torching nearby market stalls.

Mutheu, a third year Education student, was rushed to Bungoma General Hospital for treatment.

The students also directed their anger to the security officers accusing them of failing to arrest the driver.

Anti-riots police from Bungoma Police station had to lob teargas to disperse students.

Prof Ernest Mohochi, Registrar Academic Affairs, said: “The university senate in its special meeting held on Saturday March 23, 2019 at 10 am… resolved to close the university indefinitely.”

This took place two weeks before the Bungoma-based varsity was set to host the 2019 Kenya National Drama and Film Festival.

The institution was left with a damaged university gate and shattered window pens on the administration block.

Students were expected to begin their semester break as from March 29, 2019 for two weeks to pave way for the national festival set to be held at the campus.