Tension gripped Siaya National Polytechnic on the afternoon of September 19, 2025, after a 21-year-old student, a Building and Civil Engineering major, was found dead in a tragic incident. The student had been manning an electronics shop in Siaya Town when he was attacked by unknown assailants. According to reports, the assailants tied him up and brutally assaulted him before fleeing with goods from the shop. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and the authorities have launched a full investigation into the matter.
The student’s death quickly sparked anger among local residents, leading to a planned protest organized by the student leadership at the institution. The protest was intended to demand justice for the deceased and express frustration over the rising insecurity in the region. However, the protest was abruptly canceled by the police after tensions remained high at the polytechnic for nearly three hours. The local police intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The institution’s administration, led by Principal Daniel Randa, confirmed that the police had taken charge of the investigation and advised the school leadership against discussing the incident with the press. This caution was likely influenced by the looming presidential visit to Siaya, with officials citing concerns about the potential negative publicity the incident could generate.
The victim, a student from Kolal village in West Alego, had taken up the job at the electronics shop to help pay for his school fees. He was reportedly earning Ksh 6,000 per month. Those who knew him described him as hardworking and dedicated, with no previous indications that he would meet such a tragic fate. A local businesswoman revealed that the deceased had come to her for work earlier in the week, seeking a job to help support his siblings after he had been dismissed from his previous position.
As the investigation continues, the community remains on edge, and students are calling for justice. Meanwhile, a separate incident at the polytechnic has further intensified the climate of concern, with a 14-year-old student found dead in a dormitory with a deep neck wound. Both cases have left the community in shock and demanding action from authorities to ensure justice is served.
