Thika college students go on rampage over lack of Wi-Fi, poor sanitation

Students from the Thika Technical Training Institute on Tuesday morning went on strike complaining about a number of issues, among them lack of Wi-Fi and poor sanitation in the school.

The students cited insecurity and poor learning conditions in the school premises and noted that various facilities in the institution including toilets and bathrooms were in decrepit states.

Other issues raised by the visibly enraged students included an alleged misuse of funds, frequent water outages, blocked sewers, and some lecturers neglecting their duties.

Addressing the press, the students said they resorted to the boycott after the administration turned a deaf ear to their grievances for the past four years.

They added that even after meeting with the students’ fraternity four times over the matters, the administration still did nothing.

“The situation has gotten out of hand and as the student leaders, we have been unable to control the anger of the students which is definitely justified after four years of unresolved issues,” said Joseph Kiarie, the President of the students’ council.

“The students are schooling under very poor and pathetic learning conditions not withstanding risking their health through blocked sewer.”

He blamed the matter on the institution’s Board of Management, further accusing them of being insensitive of the students’ welfare.

“The board has really failed us and we demand their disbandment and a fresh board reconstituted. How can students live in such conditions yet we are paying fees to cater for some of these services?” he posed.

Ismael Mohamed, who is the student council Minister for Finance and Internal Affairs, cited insecurity as a major concern for the students.

Mohamed claimed that they have had frequent attacks from thugs from the sprawling Kiandutu slums as the institution lacked a permanent perimeter wall to shield them.

“Barely a week goes by without students getting violently robbed by thugs who access the compound through our porous fence bordering Kiandutu slums. Some of us have been stabbed but no one seems alarmed over the escalating insecurity,” he added.

Several toilets within the institution are in a horrible state with one already blocked and overflowing with raw sewer. Several of the classrooms do not have window panes with some bearing naked electric wires hanging dangerously.

“We usually suffer a lot here especially with water and sanitary facilities. Rarely do we get water and it is our fear that we are getting exposed to diseases without anyone really coming to our aid,” said the council Health and Environment Minister, Daniel Mbugua.

Police were forced to use teargas to disperse the striking students after they began to vandalise college facilities and blocked the busy General Kago Road, thereby causing heavy traffic snarl-ups.

Efforts to get a response from the school administration hit a snag as the Principal declined to talk to the press.