A student from Bungoma National Polytechnic tragically lost her life following a clash with police during protests on October 8, 2024.
The student, identified as Salome Makanda, reportedly succumbed to a gunshot wound during demonstrations by the institution’s students, who were protesting against mismanagement within the polytechnic.
They were demanding the transfer of their principal, Rosebella Chukwu, amid allegations of misconduct and harassment of students.
The protests turned violent when police officers intervened, leading to the fatal shooting of the student.
The situation escalated, and the police were forced to protect the principal from the enraged students.
Following the tragic incident, local leaders, including Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, condemned the police’s actions and called for swift investigations to ensure justice is served.
The protest emerged due to grievances over the administration’s actions, such as alleged wrongful transfers of deputy principals and dismissals of long-serving staff members, fueling tensions within the institution.
Students expressed frustration with being subjected to police intervention whenever they raised concerns.
