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Several houses in an Ongata Rongai informal settlement were allegedly torched by Multimedia University of Kenya students during protests over insecurity.
The incident was reported on Tuesday, October 6, after demonstrations erupted following an alleged attack on a university student who was reportedly left in critical condition.
Houses Set Ablaze
The affected homes are located in the Bangladesh settlement near the university’s main gate, along the Nairobi-Kajiado county boundary.
Videos from the area showed flames and thick smoke rising from the settlement as residents struggled to contain the fire and protect their property.
The settlement largely consists of temporary structures made from timber, iron sheets and mud, leaving homes highly exposed to rapidly spreading flames.
The alleged torching of the houses occurred as tensions rose between students and residents over security concerns in the area.
Magadi Road Blocked
The demonstrations also spilled onto Magadi Road, where students reportedly barricaded the highway using stones and other objects.
The disruption brought traffic to a standstill for a period, with motorists forced to seek alternative routes to avoid the affected section.
Police vehicles were later spotted in the area as authorities moved to assess the situation and establish the circumstances surrounding the unrest.
The student whose alleged attack triggered the protests was reported to be receiving treatment at a local hospital.
No casualties linked to the fire had been reported by the time of publication, although residents were left counting losses from the damaged homes.
Authorities are expected to investigate the alleged arson and determine those responsible for the destruction.
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