Police nab weapons being smuggled into another university

Police in Bungoma have nabbed crude weapons being smuggled into one of the institutions of higher learning in the area.

According to police commander in the area David Kirui, police officers nabbed the said weapons which were being smuggled into Kibabii University College ahead of the planned student elections.

The police boss said concerned students alerted the police who nabbed the weapons and are in their custody.

Kirui said police suspect the weapons were supposed to be used during the student election slated for this year.

Police are also following leads that outsiders with interest in student politics are behind the smuggling of the weapons to force the election of their favourite candidate.

Kirui said he has held a meeting with the University Vice Chancellor Shem Away to find a way forward ahead of the planned elections.

The latest comes a month after the institution was closed down indefinitely following student unrest over the elections.

Students had protested the barring of some of their favourite colleagues from contesting in the election.

This comes even as the University of Nairobi remains closed following student riots to protest the re-election of Babu Owino for a fourth time on grounds that he was rigged into office.

The students torched university property and stoned motorists along roads surrounding the institution.

More than 200 students suspected to be behind the riots have since been suspended as further investigations are being launched to nab more culprits.
As the university remained closed, police officers stormed one of its hostels and recovered crude weapons like pangas and machetes and police and security guard uniforms. They also recovered 25 kgs of bhang.

This came after NACADA chairman John Mututho claimed that there were criminal gangs and cartels operating from the university and who were peddling drugs.

Mututho’s claims attracted the wrath of Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett who ordered him to record a statement over the same.

Other universities that have been closed over student unrest include Masinde Muliro and Laikipia.