27 September 2016•Update: 27 September 2016
By Magdalene Mukami
NAIROBI, Kenya
Three people were shot by Kenyan police on Tuesday amid violent protests close to the capital, Nairobi.
Three students were admitted to the Nairobi Women’s Hospital in Ongata Rongai after riots rocked the town located a few kilometers from the city.
Hundreds of students paralyzed traffic on major highways.
They were protesting the death of one of their colleagues -- 18-year-old Cynthia Akoth -- who was killed in an accident caused by a matatu (minibus) driver. Three other people died in the incident which happened on Monday.
Youths set tires on fire and blocked major roads with boulders; others could be heard shouting: "We don't want rogue drivers".
Two security guards were badly injured in the violence and rushed to hospital as police engaged in running battles with the students.
Police used live ammunition and teargas to disperse the crowds hurling stones which injured a number of officers.
Confirming the injuries, a doctor from the hospital who spoke to Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity said the students were in a stable condition but had suffered gunshot wounds.
The students were demanding that the National Transport and Safety Authority crack down on rogue drivers plying the busy highway. Many are accused of driving recklessly.
Thousands of commuters were left stranded and missed work as other matatu operators avoided the busy route in fear of having their vehicles damaged.
