The recent murders in our universities have raised eyebrows among Kenyans. This calls for the need to address the root cause urgently.
“Following the recent spate of murder cases in several universities across the country, it is now alarming how youths are turning to murder as a quick fix and a short term solution to a long term problem,” notes Chrispus Kang’ara, a psychologist.
Speaking during an interview Tuesday in his Nakuru office, Kang’ara said the trend may gain an upsurge due to dwindling morals and counselling among campus students despite the numerous challenges evident among them.
“The recent cases of students killing each other especially on relationship matters gone awry are a precursor to a looming epidemic. Usually, youth in this age bracket (19-25 years) are more agile and may turn hostile to each other upon ensuing of a disagreement, a fight or a commotion. They, therefore, commit murder without much thought only to come back to their senses later,” explained Kang’ara.
“What these students need most is attention, counselling and establishment of more solid religious teachings that can draw them closer to the right and generally acceptable moral practices to avert such incidences. Counselling, especially on matters of relationships and love affairs, should be encouraged since this is when most of those cases are prevalent,” he added.
Nakuru County has got a fair share of the vice after the news about the murder of a fourth-year student at Egerton University hit headlines late last month.
Last week, a student at the University of Nairobi was killed by his lover in a love-gone-sour affair.
Early this week, a Moi University student was stabbed by a colleague over what police said a dispute over a girlfriend.
Since the start of the year, at least six reported cases of murder among campus students have been reported, therefore raising the alarm over the worrying trend.
“If we bury our heads in the sand and assume this is part of us and it is going to end on its own any time soon, we will simply be watching many promising lives going to the grave leaving devastating effects alive,” he concluded.