Watchman beaten up as MTC students riot over insecurity

By RUSHDIE OUDIA

Kisumu, Kenya: A  guard was seriously injured when students at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Kisumu, went on the rampage to protest rising insecurity in the institution Wednesday.

The demonstration took the better part of the morning with the students, dressed in their blue uniforms and wielding twigs, shouting along the Nyamasaria-Kondele bypass as residents stared from a far.

The guard was rushed to the New Provincial Hospital after he was beaten by the students on allegations that he was involved in the spate of theft at the institution.

The incident happened in the wee hours of the morning after angry students descended on him with crude weapons, accusing him of aiding a suspect spotted in the ladies’ hostel escape.

A female student spotted the suspect wearing a uniform similar to that of the security guard entering the hostels and raised the alarm. The suspect fled as the students pursued him.

Upon finding their security guard whom they had tried to trace for over 30 minutes, they turned their anger on him, accusing him helping the suspect escape.

The institution’s Student Representative Council Chairperson Brian Wekesa said there has been a series of insecurity cases within the college for the past five days.

Wekesa said, in some instances, the robbers threatened to knife the ladies if they are not given whatever they want.

“We have been losing phones, laptops and personal belongings from the hostels and the female students are scared,” said Wekesa.

The police had to shoot in the air to disperse the angry students and rescue the security guard who was rushed to hospital.

Due to the ongoing road construction near the school, the institution’s fence was brought down, hence exposing the students to insecurity.

The college’s Principal Alloice Musuya, however, said the school is secure due to proximity of Kondele Police Station. Musuya said the gates were brought down by the road construction company responsible for the rehabilitation of the Nyamasaria-Kisumu-Kisian road about three months ago.

He said they are currently working on putting up a temporary gate before they know their fate since they had already received a letter to bring down two buildings within the institution, which are on a road reserve.

Kisumu Central Deputy OCPD Joe Lekuta said the security guard would be arrested after getting treatment. Lekuta assured the over 800 students of their safety, adding that police patrols would be increased around the school.

“I urge the school management also to be keen to know which people are guarding their institution because this seemed to be an inside job,” said Lekuta.