Machakos University students have demonstrated citing insecurity in their area of residence.
The students said their colleagues have in the past been attacked by criminals.
They said some of the affected areas were Kathemboni, Chatia and Eastleigh estates.
The officers under Machakos subcounty police commander Moss Ndhiwa were at some point forced to use teargas canisters to disperse the students who had barricaded the Machakos- Wote road.
However, normalcy has since returned to Machakos- Wote road.
Police repulsed the rioters from gaining access to Machakos town.
A police vehicle's windscreen was smashed during the melee.
There were fears that criminals could take advantage of the demonstrations to loot and disrupt businesses within the town.
They blocked the road in front of the university's main entrance.
Ndhiwa said the demonstrations were illegal saying the students had not informed the police of the same.
He, however, said security agencies were already responding to the grievances.
The police boss said a security meeting has been scheduled with the students' leaders today.
Operations at the University were not interrupted.