Residents Clash With University
Residents of Murang’a town and Murang’a University of Technology are currently at odds over the closure of a road that runs through a local estate.
Just a few days ago, locals were taken aback to discover metallic barriers blocking vehicles and motorcycles from using the road that links Murang’a town to Kangema road.
This particular road, which cuts through Kiharu estate, is a vital route for students heading to town, as it’s much shorter than the alternative route to the university’s main gate.
Nestled between the barriers is Kiharu stadium, a facility the university utilizes for sports events and graduation ceremonies, along with a back entrance to the campus.
On Tuesday, a group of residents voiced their frustration, threatening to remove the barriers, claiming they were disrupting their daily lives. Motorists are now forced to make detours, and passengers on boda bodas have to get off and navigate the barriers on foot.
Adding to the locals’ frustration is the university’s lack of action in providing security guards to oversee the two barrier points.
Francis Mwangi, a businessman, was taken aback when a group of angry students refused to let him deliver a shipment of construction materials to the university.
“I did not know this road had been closed. Now, I have to go back to Murang’a town and take the other road to deliver the goods to the university,” he said.
Murathi Magochi, a local resident, expressed his confusion over why the university management made such a significant decision without consulting the community members.
He highlighted the strong bond that has always existed between the university and the locals, arguing that the management should avoid making choices that upset the community that supports it.
He firmly stated that the road in question is a public asset, one that was paved long before the university was granted its charter in 2016.
In the past, the institution, which was previously known as Murang’a College of Technology, operated as a constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
“This road absorbs traffic from Kangema road and is crucial to Murang’a town. I was surprised that even security officers arrived here wondering what was happening. That was an indication they also had not been informed,” he said.
The residents made it clear that they are ready to take legal action to stop the construction of the barriers if the university doesn’t listen to their requests to have them removed.
“It’s the local community that lobbied for this university for years. It should not be mistreated,” Magochi said.
Kamau Waithera, a local resident, expressed that issues impacting the community should go through public participation before any decisions are made.
Earlier, the university put up a perimeter wall around Kiharu Stadium, which had been a space for the public to enjoy sports and various activities.
“We’re not here for protests. We’re here to ask Vice Chancellor Dickson Nyariki to remove these barriers. We know our rights and are prepared to legally fight for them,” Kamau said.
Acting county commissioner Charles Muriithi, who was on-site with police officers, urged the university’s security team to lift the barricades and let vehicles pass, but unfortunately, his pleas went unheard.
In the meantime, frustrated students armed with vuvuzelas stood guard at one barricade near the back entrance, throwing stones at residents while firmly declaring that the barriers would stay put until they received further instructions from the vice chancellor.
At one point, anti-riot police were dispatched to the scene, but Muriithi intervened, asking them to leave as he tried to soothe the students and ease the rising tension.
Eventually, after a lengthy discussion with security officers, the university’s chief security officer, Felix Kimotho, stepped in to address the students, urging them to dismantle the barriers.
Muriithi mentioned that the road would stay open while discussions took place between the university and local leaders about the next steps.
“The issue here is very simple. The university had closed the road under the pretext that they are undertaking construction in the stadium so members of the public reacted and informed us. As the county security committee, we have come here and opened the barriers”.
“They claim that this road passes through the university and they’d like to take it back but this is a public road and this is a public university, so we will have to sit down and resolve this matter”.
Samuel Nge’the, one of the founding members of the institution back in 1973 and later the college’s deputy principal in 1984, criticized the university for shutting down the road. He pointed out that the stadium, where the university claims to be doing construction, was actually a public recreational area that they had permission to use for their activities.
“It was not for the university specifically. It’s wrong for the management to claim its ownership and block the road”
Ng’ethe, who is part of the Kiama Kia Ma council of elders, expressed their surprise and disappointment upon seeing the university begin to fence off a piece of land that includes the Murang’a fire station and a shrine they rely on for their cultural ceremonies.
This parcel, located just 50 meters from one of the barriers, features an incomplete wall that Ng’ethe mentioned was left unfinished after discussions with the university took place.
Residents Clash With University
