Students from Meru University of Science and Technology on Tuesday staged a major protest along the Meru–Maua highway, demanding swift government intervention over rising insecurity in residential areas surrounding the campus.
The students, mobilized under the umbrella of the Student Association of Meru University (SAMU), cited increasing cases of muggings, assaults, and night-time stabbings, especially in poorly lit areas near their hostels.
According to students, the lack of functional street lighting and inadequate police patrols have made them easy targets for criminal gangs operating in the vicinity.
During the protest, the students lit bonfires and blocked the busy highway, temporarily paralyzing traffic.
Some were seen throwing stones at police officers, prompting a response from security personnel who lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the crowd and restore order.
The demonstration followed a formal communication issued on Monday by SAMU, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating security situation.
In the letter, signed by SAMU Secretary General Cosmas Emerkwa and President Teddy Samuel, the student leaders explained that previous efforts to engage local authorities had yielded no concrete results.
“The SAMU has been deeply concerned about the escalating insecurity around our university environs, largely caused by the lack of streetlights and insufficient security measures,” the statement read. “This situation has put many of our students at risk, especially during evening movements.”
The student leadership emphasized that the protest was a last resort, taken after repeated appeals to local law enforcement and government offices were ignored.
They called for the immediate installation of streetlights, increased police presence, and long-term safety plans to secure the university neighborhood.
This is not the first time Meru University students have protested over security issues.
A similar demonstration took place on January 28, 2025, after a Technical University of Mombasa student who was visiting his girlfriend was fatally stabbed in the area.
That incident sparked widespread outrage, with students accusing local authorities of turning a blind eye to rampant gang activity, particularly in the Mascan area, which students described as a hotspot for robberies and violent attacks.
Tuesday’s protest highlights the growing tension between university students and local security agencies, as learners increasingly feel abandoned in the face of recurring threats.
Many students say they now avoid leaving campus after dark and live in constant fear, even while commuting between classes and their off-campus accommodations.
As of Wednesday morning, normalcy had returned to the area, but student leaders warned that more protests could follow if their demands are not addressed promptly.
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