University of Nairobi students go on rampage over election results

University of Nairobi students went on a rampage yesterday over disputed elections and razed down property at the institution.

The students were protesting against the crowning of Babu Owino as the newly-elected Students Organisation of Nairobi University (Sonu) chair for a fourth term.

The students engaged General Service Unit police in running battles. They also blocked Uhuru Highway and University Way, stoned motorists and burnt Sonu offices.

A University of Nairobi student is cornered by police yesterday during protests over the just concluded SONU elections.(PHOTO: BEVERLYNE MUSILI/ STANDARD)

It took the efforts of riot police and the Nairobi County fire brigade to salvage the building.

 Bribery claims

The protests were allegedly staged by followers of Mike Jacobs, a candidate who lost in the just-concluded Sonu elections.

“It is unclear how Babu won as we know the administration helped in rigging the election,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs claimed Owino was financed by the university’s administration and used the money to bribe students. However, Babu maintained he had won the elections fairly, saying any candidate who wants a piece of his position should wait for the next elections.

 

“Losers will never accept they lost. However, I will not vie in the next elections,” said Babu.

A statement from the university’s Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi said the elections were conducted democratically. “If anyone has grievances, then he should use the right channels to express them,” said Prof Mbithi.

Meanwhile, dissatisfied candidates have up to Wednesday to file a petition. The university has formed a 14-member Independent Election Petition Panel to look into the petitioners’ grievances.

A city-based lawyer David Mereka will chairthe panel, which constitutes two members from the university senate and 11 students’ representatives.