One student has been confirmed dead, and at least six others injured following a confrontation between police and students during Monday’s demonstrations at Laikipia University.
The unrest stemmed from students protesting over alleged poor management by the university administration.
Tension escalated following the death of a first year media student, Hillary Vulimu who tragically slipped and fell at the Subukia Escarpment on March 20, 2026 while accompanied by fellow students in a mountain hiking event.
According to students, before the passing of comrade Hillary Vulimu, his friends desperately tried to engage the university ambulance services for emergency support but were informed that the ambulance was not available during holidays.
They then desperately begged a bobaboda rider to rush him to a nearby dispensary – Micheal Nursing Home in Subukia town- for treatment after it was clear that the university ambulance was not available. He was immediately referred to Nyahururu hospital, where he passed on.
On Saturday the students took to the streets to protest forcing the University administration to call for an urgent meeting on Monday 23rd March 2026 with the students to address their concerns.
However, the students did not attend the meeting faulting the manner and intentions of the meeting, instead they again took to the streets in protest, barricading sections of the Nyahururu-Nakuru highway leading to intervention by the anti-riot police officers.
For the better part of the day it was a running battle between the police and students but tension escalated further in the evening as students clashed with the security officers who then resorted to harsher measures in effort to disperse the rowdy and growing crowds.
During the chaos, it was reported that one student was shot on the chest, several others sustained gunshot wounds and are currently hospitalized.
It has been reported that one student who was shot on the chest succumbed to injuries and his body was taken to Nyahururu County Referral Hospital Morgue awaiting autopsy.
In a letter, the Laikipia Students Association Secretary general Titus Omari and the School President Emmanuel Kibet confirmed that the fallen student was a first year student pursuing Education degree.
They condemned the brutality of police, calling upon relevant bodies to take action against any the police and ensure students are protected.
“The Laikipia Students Association (LUSA) strongly and unreservedly condemns the use of live ammunition by police when students were agitating for their rights which resulted in the tragic death of one of our students and left others injured,’’ the letter said.
It went on to say that students exercising their constitutional rights should never be met with lethal force which amounts to gross violation of human rights.
“We demand immediate accountability for those responsible and call on the relevant authorities to launch a full independent investigations into this incident without delay,’’ the letter continued.
Following these events, the university leadership announced an indefinite closure of the institution, instructing all students residing on campus to vacate immediately.
Roselyne Mulefu, Director for Corporate Affairs, issued a statement affirming that the university is working closely with relevant authorities to address the situation while prioritizing improvements to student welfare and engagement mechanisms.
