By Wekesa Wafula
Bungoma governorship candidate Ms Sella Mutsotso has condemned the recent unrest that led to the tragic shooting of a female student at The Bungoma National Polytechnic.
The protests stemmed from claims of nepotism and patronage by the institution’s principal against students leading to the widespread destruction of property worth millions as students demanded the she be transferred with immediate effect and subsequently have the board of management disbanded.
Mutsotso expressed her sorrow over the loss of an innocent life, Salome Wekesa, 26, who was shot by a stray bullet.
The student was being educated through bursaries, questioning who will care for her family after her demise.
She noted the unfortunate cycle of violence, recalling that another murder occurred when students killed Mr. Polycarp Wanyela, the former principal of Sang’alo Institute of Science and Technology in November 1999.
According to police reports, about 100 students broke into the house of the principal while drunk and armed with sticks, rocks and clubs, they senselessly beat him to death.
Police said the students had been smoking cannabis and drinking an illegal and highly potent alcoholic brew before the attack.
The institution was recently elevated to a national polytechnic and named The Bungoma National Polytechnic.
“Sang’alo has become a battleground that needs cleansing,” she stated, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent further bloodshed.
She appealed to Bungoma county councils of elders to consider cleansing of “the grounds of this great institution” to stem any further bloodshed and allow progressive training to continue.
She highlighted the importance of protecting the institution’s reputation, especially after its recent elevation to national polytechnic.
Earlier, Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli condemned the incident saying it was unjustified to kill an innocent student.
“I strongly condemn the tragic and unjustified killing of Salome Wekesa, a young and promising student from Kabuchai Constituency, studying for a Diploma in Accounting at The Bungoma National Polytechnic,” said Wakoli in a statement to the press
According to Wakoli, the student was shot dead by the police while exercising her democratic right during a peaceful protest calling for the removal of the institution’s principal. “This incident is not only a grave violation of her rights but also a reflection of the unnecessary force used against peaceful demonstrators,”
“I call upon the Inspector General of Police to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into this matter and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Justice must be served for Salome’s grieving family and her fellow comrades, who continue to seek a just and safe learning environment. No student should lose their life while standing up for their beliefs and rights,” said Wakoli
His Kanduyi counterpart, John Makali said “I have learnt with deep sorrow the disturbances at Bungoma National Polytechnic that resulted in the death of Salome Wekesa and several others injured, saying, “This is a big blow and blot to my enduring dream and journey to make the Polytechnic a model and vibrant centre of learning. A young life has been lost and property destroyed”
“Events, just like rain, do not happen from a bare sky. There must be a cause. There must be a trigger. There must have been a lapse. Heads must roll.As we come to the depth of this matter, I urge for calm and patience. A solution must be found. Bungoma National Polytechnic is larger than all of us and any attempt to bring it down or into disrepute must be resisted by all people of goodwill,” said Makali
