Students at Mitunguu Technical Training Institute in Meru ran amok, protesting the transfer of principal, Lucy Anampiu. Protesting students barricaded the Mitunguu-Kathwana road to show their disgruntlement over the changes in leadership. Police used teargas to disperse the rioters.
This was just as Principal Lucy Anampiu was outlining her development agenda for the institution. TVETA transferred the principal just when under her leadership, Mitunguu TTI was dawning to national and local attention evidenced with visits by President William Ruto on two occasions.
The move angered students, who felt her removal would setback projects in the institution and slow its growth. Students’ organization president Brian Kiogora addressed journalists on their disapproval:
“Anampiu has spearheaded a lot of development projects in the institution. This has seen President Ruto visit our institution twice. Her transfer will make us lag behind,” Kiogora said.
Brian Kimathi, the student’s organization Finance Secretary, condemned the negative impact of the said transfer:
“We are very unhappy about the transfer. We will remain on the streets until we are heard,” said Kimathi.
Another student had this to say, airing a collective demand for the reinstatement of Anampiu:
“We reject the new principal and want Lucy back. We won’t stop protesting until she comes back.”
This was in addition to the reinstatement of their principal. They wanted the government to provide them with good access roads, install street lights, and also a health facility in the village.
Protests to show the feeling intensified until there was a face-off with law enforcement. Police used teargas to break up students protesting and barricading along the main road, which paralyzed activities in the area for some time.