Love Turning Deadly: Rising Killings Among University Students

By MUKAMI BRENDAH

Second Year Student Pursing Journalism and Mass Communication Degree,  Chuka University 

What should be a time for learning, friendship, and building the future is slowly turning into a period of fear and tragedy. Across universities, cases of students killing themselves  or being killed by their partners  in toxic relationships are on the rise, raising serious concerns among parents, lecturers, and society at large.

Most students today are entering relationships where they are not valued or respected. Instead of genuine love, some relationships are built on pressure, material gain, and unrealistic expectations. In such situations, partners tend to force issues, demand too much from each other, and react violently when things do not go their way.

One of the major contributors to this problem is social media pressure. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are filled with pictures and videos of couples displaying luxurious lifestyles and “perfect” relationships. As a result, many students feel the need to imitate what they see online, even when they are not emotionally or financially ready for relationships.

Because of this pressure, some students enter relationships based on lust, money, or status rather than genuine love and understanding. When such relationships fail to meet expectations, conflicts arise, sometimes escalating into dangerous situations that can lead to violence.

Peer pressure also plays a big role. Some students fear being left out when their friends are in relationships. Instead of waiting for the right person, they rush into relationships just to fit in with their peers. This often leads to toxic relationships where partners feel trapped and frustrated.This may led them to being in a relationship with 'wababa or mmamas', people older than them with even  50 years. This may put them at risk of contracting sexualy transimited diseases and death because when partners to those elderly people discovers it  they may kill the student so that the family my remain intact.

According to Jackson Kituu, a third-year student at Chuka University, online dating has also contributed to the increase in violent incidents among university students. Many young people now meet through dating apps and social media platforms without knowing each other personally.

“In most cases, the information shared online is not honest or transparent,” says Kituu. “When people finally meet physically, they may realize the person is not who they expected.” This disappointment sometimes leads to arguments, mistrust, and in extreme cases, violence.

In some tragic situations, conflicts arise when one partner refuses to meet the expectations of the other. For example, a man who has spent money on a woman may expect certain favors in return. When the woman refuses, anger and frustration can escalate, sometimes leading to deadly consequences.

I believe it is important for young people to understand that relationships should be built on respect, honesty, and genuine care, not pressure or material gain. Students should take time to know themselves and focus on their education and personal growth before rushing into relationships. We must also learn to walk away from toxic situations and seek help when conflicts escalate, because no relationship is worth losing a life.