The ongoing protest at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) has seen heightened tension as students voice their frustrations over several issues with the administration.
The protest, which started peacefully, escalated after a fire broke out, destroying parts of the student center.
Videos circulating on social media show smoke billowing from the campus as students rally together, demanding answers.
Key grievances include the recent hike in tuition fees and the alleged removal of students from the university’s online portal, which students claim is due to missing academic marks.
This issue has left many students feeling neglected by the faculty, adding fuel to their discontent. The situation turned chaotic when security forces arrived on the scene.
Officers clashed with the protesters, leading to the use of teargas to disperse the crowd, resulting in running battles between students and law enforcement across campus.
In addition to the infrastructural damage, the protest has disrupted university operations, and concerns are growing about the safety of both students and staff.
The administration has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the students’ demands or the extent of the damage caused by the fire.
The value of the destroyed property is still being assessed, while the university community awaits further updates on how the situation will be resolved.
This protest highlights growing unrest among students, not just at TUM but across Kenya, where similar demonstrations have taken place in response to rising education costs and administrative challenges.
Students are increasingly calling for transparency and better management from university administrations, and the situation at TUM is just one reflection of the broader dissatisfaction.
