Nairobi: Panic As Fire Breaks Out At Multimedia University Hostel During Students Protests

• Multimedia University students on Tuesday, September 17, blocked the busy Magadi Road, causing a traffic snarl-up
• The students were protesting the scarcity of water and low-to-no internet access within the institution
• University staff and students scrambled for water to extinguish a fire that broke out amid the protests

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Nairobi - Students at Multimedia University have gone on strike, blocking the busy Magadi Road and causing significant traffic disruptions.

Why are Multimedia University students striking?

Led by Naomi Oketch, the students are protesting various issues, including scarcity of water throughout the university and inadequate internet access.

Oketch told Citizen Digital that the administration has been unresponsive to their complaints.

"We had no choice but to strike because our previous appeals to the administration were ignored. Some hostels have faulty electrical sockets and a shortage of study chairs. Despite raising these concerns, we have received no assistance," Oketch explained.

Fire breaks out at Multimedia University hostel

Amid the protests, a fire broke out in one of the hostels. University staff and fellow students rushed to extinguish the blaze, with most attempting to douse the flames with buckets of water while others appeared panicked.

This incident adds to the troubling trend of school fires, which have recently led to extensive damage to dormitories and bedding in various high schools.

The incidents have caused an uproar among Kenyans as authorities explained the importance of having standardised infrastructure in all schools.

13 injured as fire razes down Katoloni dormitory

In other news, at least 13 students were injured on Saturday, September 14, following a fire incident at Katoloni Secondary School in Machakos county.

According to Machakos county police commander Patrick Lobolia, the injuries resulted from a stampede as the students scampered to safety when the fire broke out minutes after 9pm.

The students sustained minor injuries due to stampede and were rushed to Machakos Level 5 hospital where they were all treated and discharged. Some of them fainted after inhaling smoke.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke