Kibabii University Closed Indefinitely After Student Dies in Night Attack, Sparking Protests

BUNGOMA, October 6, 2026. Kibabii University has been closed indefinitely and learning suspended after violent student protests triggered by the reported death of a student in a night attack.

Students took to the streets on Tuesday morning after news spread that one of their colleagues had died following an attack on Monday night. According to reports, unknown assailants attacked four students near the university, leaving one dead and three others injured.

Classes boycotted, protests turn tense

The demonstrations escalated as students boycotted classes and poured out of the campus, disrupting normal activities at the institution. Details of the clashes remain limited, and it is unclear whether there were arrests or further injuries during the protests.

University shuts down

By afternoon, the university's Senate had convened a special meeting and resolved to suspend all first-semester activities for the 2026/2027 academic year with immediate effect.

In a memo, the university directed all students to vacate the premises immediately. Those living in university hostels were ordered to leave by 3pm on Tuesday. The institution has been closed indefinitely, with no date given for reopening.

Unanswered questions

The university has not yet publicly explained the circumstances of the attack. The identity of the deceased student, the exact location of the incident, the motive and the condition of the injured students had not been confirmed at the time of publishing, and no suspects have been announced.

The closure comes at a difficult time for higher education in Kenya. Public universities across the country are already grappling with disruption following a nationwide lecturers' strike that began on Friday, October 2.

This is a developing story and will be updated as police and the university release more information.