Bungoma National Polytechnic Closed After Student Dies in Protest

A planned walkout by students to protest the slaying of one of their schoolmates has forced the closing of Bungoma National Polytechnic in Bungoma County.

For the better part of Tuesday, the Bungoma Poly campus environment echoed with the chants of students occupying the school’s administration building, demanding the resignations of certain members of the school’s board, including Chief Principal Dr Rosebella Chukwu, because of board actions the students say have jeopardised the quality of education at the institution.

The protests were peaceful until later that night when a female student died after receiving a fatal injury in a clash with security forces dispersing demonstrators. The demos then turned violent, with the most audacious of the young protesters defacing property and pelting officers with rocks.

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As violent demonstrations escalated, the Chief Principal was forced to announce the institution’s closure the next morning, Wednesday, October 9, citing security concerns that had paralysed learning activities.

“Dear Bungoma National Polytechnic students, this is to inform you that the college has been closed until further notice. This comes after student unrest in the institution,” said Dr Rosebella Chukwu in a memo. “All classes and activities are suspended. Please stay safe and stay alert.”

The Chief Principal followed up with another update, informing the students that the school’s board would be considering their new demands soon, but they should stay at home until an official reopening date is announced.

“The college was closed yesterday and will remain so until further communicated by Management. Students are advised to wait for official communication from Management on when to resume studies.”

Recently, unlike their counterparts from a generation ago, we are seeing college students become more vocal in their insistence on high quality in all aspects of their educational experience, as much as on the many social causes usually embraced by undergraduates.

This indefinite shutting down of Bungoma National Polytechnic comes merely a week after Moi University in Eldoret closed due to similar protests.

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