AP killed during students protest

By Titus Too

An Administration Police officer died as police quelled riots by students of Moi University in Eldoret town.

The officer was among a contingent of regular and AP police officers dispatched to calm the students who were on a rampage protesting an electricity blackout.

The students caused mayhem along the busy Eldoret/Kapsabet road.

Eldoret South OCPD Nicholas Maina said the students started rioting at around 8pm following a power failure.

Mr Maina said when security personnel were deployed, unidentified students allegedly hurled a flowerpot at the AP officer.

He said the officer was rushed to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Eldoret where he succumbed to the injuries.

Following the incident, four students were arrested and are assisting police with investigation.

Maina confirmed the arrest of the students who were being held at the Langas police divisional headquarters.

“Four students have been arrested and investigation has been launched into the incident,” he said.

Wilson Maklap, the Wareng District AP Commandant said the students had moved out of their hostel located some few metres from the road and started stoning vehicles along the highway.

Dismissed claims

The protesting students had also gone to a nearby garage where they pushed a lorry they intended to use in blocking the road. Police later towed the lorry to the Langas police station.

“The officers were armed but no bullets were used. They managed to repulse the students into their hostels but as they left the premise, a flower pot full of soil was thrown from one of the floors and hit the officer,” said Maklap.

Maklap identified the officer as Jonathan Chacha.

Nicholas Maswilli, a student leader, claimed that they have been experiencing power blackouts for the last three days. He also dismissed claims that the officer was hit with a flowerpot during the confrontations.

Maina said students should resort to sober means of solving problems.