Maseno University students temporarily blocked the busy Kisumu-Busia road on Friday evening in protest.
The students were demonstrating against the murder of Boaz Zachary, a third-year Bachelor of Arts student at the institution.
Reports revealed that the student, who also worked as a boda boda operator, was killed under unclear circumstances, and his motorbike was stolen during the incident.
Zachary was allegedly attacked on the night of Thursday, April 3, and his lifeless body was later found dumped along a deserted road.
According to the students, Boaz was last seen carrying a passenger towards the Trinity area at night. Hours later, in the morning, his body was discovered with severe head injuries.
His murder caused tension in the region, with angry students accusing the institution of failing to address insecurity in the area.
Irate students disrupted motorists by barricading a section of the highway with stones, paralyzing movement for hours.
The students engaged in running battles with anti-riot police who were trying to disperse them.
Police lobbed tear gas at the students in a bid to restore order.
The university’s student leadership, led by its president, Benjamin Anditi, condemned the killing and vowed to seek justice while advocating for increased security measures in and around the university.
"I condemn the brutal and senseless murder of the student. It’s unacceptable that such a crime can occur within the university without swift intervention from law enforcement," Anditi told a local media house.
Zachary's death comes barely a week after another first-year student from the same university was found dead.
The body of 20-year-old Julias Kamanja was discovered near the water treatment area behind RAM Hostels, days after he was reported missing on Saturday, March 15.
