University of Nairobi closed indefinitely  following students’ unrest

The University of Nairobi was on Tuesday closed indefinitely following student unrest over last week’s police assault that left 27 students with injuries.

In a notice to the students Tuesday morning, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbithi said the closure was as a result of the deteriorating security situation.

“The University of Nairobi Senate at a special meeting held today 3rd October 2017, having considered all the options available and after undertaking all the necessary consultations has decided to close the University with immediate effect.”

However, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority  (IPOA) in a statement has urged the twenty-six students injured during the police assault on Thursday last week not to leave until they have recorded statements. “Recording of these statements will assist in fast-tracking the investigation process,” said IPOA CEO Dr Joel Mabonga.

On Monday, IPOA said videos that had been circulated on social media showing University of Nairobi students being assaulted by police officers are fake.

“The analysis undertaken by IPOA’s investigation team has confirmed that a significant number of videos and photographs being circulated on social media … were fake,” authority chair Macharia Njeru said in a statement on Monday.

“There are genuine students who were injured by police officers as demonstrators were being pursued,” he added.

The Law Society of Kenya President Isaac Okero termed the incident at the university as the worst form of cruelty adding that it contravened the Geneva convention.

“It was worse than the colonial concentration camps. This is a clear proof of a police service that is hell-bent to extend the culture of brutality and impunity.”