Kenya: Student protest ongoing in Machakos, Dec. 7

Event

Students are protesting in front of Machakos University in Machakos, Dec. 7. Participants are protesting rising insecurity following a criminal attack on a student Dec. 1 and denouncing the shooting and killing of a protesting student by police, Dec. 5. Protesters are blocking roads with burning debris. Authorities have closed the university until further notice, and have advised students to evacuate the premises. Riot police have reportedly been deployed to the area. The protests forced businesses along the busy Machakos-Wote Road to close down and brought ground transportation to a halt.

A heightened security presence is likely in the area through Dec. 7. Localized transport and business disruptions are likely in the coming hours. Clashes between protesters and security forces are possible.

Advice

Individuals in Machakos are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests or large gatherings due to the risk of associated violence, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.