Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) students today Monday 26 June rioted against an alleged fee increment, resulting to the students center being set ablaze ruining several students’ businesses which got damaged irreparably.
The value of the property that were burnt down remains unknown. According to video clips seen by the African watch news, the fire started from a single stall at the students’ Centre only for the it to spread to the rest of the stalls that had been partitioned by plywood hence hastening the spread. Efforts by firefighters to put out the razing fire could not bare any fruits.
The students had cited various reasons for their alleged peaceful demonstration including fee increment of 6000, deregistration of students from the portal due to missing marks caused by negligent lecturers, the matter of 50% fee payment for one to register units among other internal issues.
However, the students have distanced themselves from any allegations that were involved in the fire incident as they point fingers at the police who had come to disperse the demonstrating students. According to the students, the police might be ones who ignited chaos resulting to the unfortunate occurrence. They are now asking for thorough investigations into the matter.
The school administration has however urged the students to maintain peace as the matter is being handled. It has also revoked sh. 6000 invoicing of the students in Engineering departments.
