Several businesses around Kisii University are counting losses after students went on a rampage on Monday over a new electronic fee payment system. The fee payment system adopted by the university required all students to pay all their tuition fees by October 15, failure to which would result to automatic deferment by the system until the subsequent semester. Students who were unhappy with the new rules took to the streets and destroyed private property including businesses. Businessmen and women were forced to close their businesses by 10am when the riots began. Those who did not close early enough went up to face the angry students who set ablaze a number of structures popularly known as ‘vibandas’ as well as breaking window panes of some of the hostels neighbouring the university. Jane Manyara, a local businesswoman, said she lost thousands of shillings when her ‘kibanda’ was burned to ashes after being set ablaze by some students. “The students were rowdy and I had to leave some of my business items since I was chased away. When I came back, I found my structure burned to ashes. I have lost items of unknown value,” regretted Manyara. Other affected businessmen were bodaboda operators who had to stop their operations after students barricaded Mwembe-University way. “We had to run on losses since the road was closed by the students for several hours thus crippling our normal duties,” regretted Jared Monyancha, a bodaboda operator. The business owners now want the university management to solve the matter fast for peace to prevail.

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