A 19-year-old student was stabbed to death by unknown assailants on Sunday night, sparking widespread outrage and protests at Eldoret National Polytechnic on Monday.
The student was attacked around 8 pm while walking from the college to his rented house in the Cherunya area, about two kilometers from the institution.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of students in the area, which is home to many off-campus hostels.
According to Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi, the student died on the spot, and the attackers are believed to have stolen some of his belongings.
Police have launched an investigation into the murder and have urged students to remain calm and allow them to carry out their work.
“We are investigating the incident and are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Mwanthi said.
Outraged by the killing, students blocked a section of the Eldoret-Kisumu road, demanding better security. Anti-riot police were deployed to manage the situation, and senior officers were seen speaking with students to restore calm.
Eldoret National Polytechnic Principal Dr. Charles Koech met with student leaders and security officials, urging students to stay peaceful as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) handles the case.
“We understand your pain. This matter is under active investigation, and we ask for your patience as the authorities do their job,” Dr. Koech told the students.Student leaders have expressed frustration that despite previous incidents involving students, little has been done to improve their safety. “Most of us live outside campus. We need proper security measures put in place to protect students from such attacks,” said Javin Oyoo, a student leader.
The incident has sparked a renewed call for improved security measures to protect students in the area. Investigations into the killing are ongoing.
