On September 17, 2024, police fired tear gas and used physical force to disperse Multimedia University students who were protesting poor sanitation, lack of clean water, and unstable internet access by barricading Magadi Road with burning tires and stones, disrupting traffic.

A video of the incident shows armed police officers physically assaulting a student before dragging him to another location.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. protesters must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.citizen.digital/news/knchr-condemns-police-brutality-against-multimedia-university-student-as-ipoa-begins-probe-n349786
https://nairobileo.co.ke/news/article/17220/ipoa-takes-action-after-viral-video-of-police-harassing-mmu-student
https://www.tv47.digital/multimedia-university-students-protest-over-lack-of-water-and-wifi-70803/
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/104480-multimedia-university-students-stage-strike-disrupting-traffic-flow?page=241