Meru University students took to the streets on Tuesday to protest rising insecurity around the campus.
The demonstration escalated as students lit tires, blocked roads with stones and branches, and clashed with police.
Police used vans and teargas to disperse the demonstrators.
Organised by the Student Association of Meru University (SAMU), the protest reflects growing frustration over repeated cases of muggings and assaults affecting students.
The students are calling for the urgent installation of streetlights around the university and increased security patrols.
In a letter seen by The Star, SAMU informed students on Monday about the planned demonstration.
“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 letter stated in part.
“After several attempts to engage the relevant authorities, we have resolved to organise a peaceful demonstration to demand urgent intervention.”
The association also advised students to skip classes during the protest, citing safety as their “highest priority.”
This is not the first time Meru University students have protested over security concerns.
On January 28, 2025, they demonstrated following the death of a fellow student, expressing frustration over what they described as inadequate action by authorities.
During that protest, students blocked the Meru-Maua highway, demanding that their safety concerns be addressed.
They reported that insecurity was particularly prevalent in the Mascan area, where they said criminal gangs had targeted and robbed learners.
University and local government officials have not yet issued a public response to Tuesday’s demonstration.
