The management of Technical University of Mombasa(TUM) has suspended the invoicing of the practical, laboratory and workshop fees with immediate effect.
This comes after students went on the rampage Monday morning to protest against alleged fee increment in the department of applied sciences and engineering.
On Monday evening, TUM vice chancellor Prof Laila Abubakar said via an internal memo that the fee increment has been suspended to allow further consultation.
“I would like to clarify that the invoicing of the practical, laboratory and workshop fees with immediate effect,” she said.
During the mid-morning chaos, fire broke out at the Students Centre where several businesses, including a fast-food restaurant, are housed.
“I appeal to all students to be calm and avoid situations that may jeopardise their studies. As students, you are expected to help create a safe and healthy environment conducive to learning, this is paramount and should not be compromised,” she said.
Image: CHARLES MGHENYI
According to an insider, the students who were cooking left the gas cylinders on, which later burnt down property of unknown value.
“There are students who were using the area to cook and when they left after the police came, they did not come back on time because there was also tear gas from the police officers and unfortunately the gas cylinders burst burning the place to ashes.
“It was just a coincidence, the school security and the police officers have been directed to do thorough investigations to know if the fire was as a result of the gas cylinder or what really happened, then after that, the management will take the action,” the insider said.
The Mombasa fire brigades were called in to put out the fire.
Several students who spoke to the Star said they were demonstrating against a fee increment of up to Sh6,500 in the department of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
“We were demonstrating against the extra fees being charged. We found that some of us had been charged Sh6,000 extra, others Sh3,000 and others Sh6,500,” a student at the institution said.
They denied any involvement in the burning down of the Student Centre.
“We were very peaceful until the police were called in to disperse the students. The fire that broke out has to be investigated, I do not believe that comrades can burn down an institution,” another student said.
