Student leaders at Moi University have asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct an investigation into the death of John Gift, a fourth-year student at the University of Eldoret.
The calls by his colleagues follow fresh claims that his death could have been as a result of foul play. Initially, it was reported that the budding standup comedian was involved in a grisly road accident and died in the ICU while receiving treatment.
According to the chairperson of Moi University Students Organization (MUSO) Timothy Kemboi, the hearts of the students will only be at peace if the questions surrounding the death of their colleague are answered.
“It was sad to learn of the untimely death of our colleague John Gift. He was a young brilliant comedian with a promising future. Nonetheless, our hearts as the comrades of Uasin Gishu county are not at peace. We, therefore, request the DCI to conduct speedy investigations into the incident to establish the cause of death,” Kemboi stated.
Deaths of university students have been on the rise since the beginning of this year, Moses Tisa who is the Secretary-General of Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO) termed the recent incidences as a major blow to the country’s future.
“Youths are the future of this country and any incident that leads to the death of a Kenyan youth should, therefore, be treated with utmost seriousness,” Tisa said.
Kepha Erick Opass who is the president of a political organization on Kenyan campuses called Africa Must Succeed (AMS), reiterated on the need for speedy and detailed investigations into the incident.
“Comrades can only feel secure if they have answers as to what exactly led to the death of one of their own. The DCI should, therefore, swing into action and provide this answers,” Kepha explained.
Hebon Ondari the student leader in charge of finance at the Kesses-based institution, on the other hand, requested the students to remain calm and pay their last respects to the late comedian.
“Even as we seek to find answers to our questions, we request the students to remain calm and mourn with the bereaved family,” Ondari noted.
The president of the University of Eldoret Students Organization has also offered his message of condolence.