Nyeri Polytechnic has been shut indefinitely with students instructed to leave the institution following violent unrest reportedly connected to a dispute over student elections that escalated into running battles with police on campus.
The shutdown was declared after hours of heightened tension disrupted learning and normal operations at the institution.
The unrest reportedly started as a disagreement over student leadership elections that deteriorated into chaos, prompting authorities to intervene.
In footage viewed by the Star, large groups of students are seen chanting and moving within and around the campus gates.
The demonstrations quickly intensified as students blocked access roads leading to the institution using stones, plant materials, and other debris, effectively halting movement in and out of the campus.
Security officers were deployed to restore order after the situation spiraled beyond campus control.
The footage shows police attempting to disperse the crowds, but the standoff turned confrontational, with officers firing tear gas canisters to break up the protests.
Dense clouds of tear gas are seen billowing across sections of the roads as students scatter in different directions.
Some students are seen fleeing from the fumes, while others regroup at a distance, despite the heavy police presence.
Police vehicles are also seen maneuvering around the institution as officers work to contain the unrest.
The confrontation brought academic activities to a standstill, resulting in the suspension of lectures and administrative operations.
The unrest is reported to have been triggered by disagreements over the student leadership election process.
The incident comes a day after Ingotse Boys High School was shut indefinitely following a violent student protest that erupted on the night of May 20, destroying property and halting learning activities at the institution.
The unrest, which reportedly began late at night, saw students go on a rampage within the school compound, vandalizing key facilities and causing panic among staff and nearby residents.
According to reports, a section of the learners stormed several buildings, breaking windows, damaging doors, and destroying school property before some students allegedly staged a walkout from the institution in the middle of the night.
Among the most affected facilities was the school library, which sustained extensive damage during the chaos. Preliminary reports indicate that parts of the library were set on fire, destroying books, furniture and learning materials.
Footage shared online showed smoke rising from sections of the school compound as residents and authorities attempted to contain the situation.