Like a killer virus that mutates only to strike when least expected, the unrest by University of Nairobi students and the subsequent closure of the campus is unfortunate.

Its timing does not help matters as it comes against the backdrop of calls for the Government to institute a probe on tribalism and nepotism in public varsities.

This strike also comes just as the public and the job market were beginning to erase memories of the frequent and uncalled for closures of the UoN in the 1990s. The effect of this was that students completing their courses outside the stipulated schedules, not to mention mediocre teaching as lecturers tried to play catch-up.

Higher education stakeholders must realise that strikes and closure are outdated owing to the great demand and competition in this sector and also the ease of accessing information that comes with emerging technologies.

Public varsities now have to contend with private and online institutions, and neighbouring countries whose education systems are attracting Kenyan students in droves. And unlike the bad, old days, the job market is spoilt for choices when it comes to employing graduates.

Politicians who are trying to influence students’ politics must be condemned because their selfish and myopic schemes don’t have the country’s education sector at heart.

However, the university administration should reconsider its ban on the students’ body because it also shares the blame for not ensuring a peaceful election.

{Charles Waigwa, Nairobi}

I’m a fourth year student at the UoN and I’m disappointed by the behaviour of comrades who chose violence instead of acting maturely and objectively.

For some of us, campus politics is not a priority. We want to finish school, graduate and move on to other more important matters.

Unfortunately, we may end up waiting until next year to graduate for all we know. We may also not be able to finish our course work because this was the last semester for some of us.

I hope the administration will take into consideration that not everyone participated in this mess and, therefore, innocent students should not be left to suffer for the mistakes of others.

What is happening is a reflection of the battle being waged in the political world and if we are not careful, we risk messing up big time.

After all, the rioting varsity students are the same people who will soon join the political world after finishing their studies and engage in similar unscrupulous behaviour.

{Aila Onyango, UoN}

The Vice-Chancellor of the UoN must be commended for his good management skills that have saved pedestrians and motorist from having to deal with frequent riots.

Students last went on the rampage in 2004 even as other public institutions have been taking to the streets to press their case.

The violence that led to the varsity’s indefinite closure is unfortunate and regrettable. This after students opted to protest the flawed election of union officials.

It would now appear like the ghost of protests and violence has returned to haunt the institution. However, we must not resort to violence to resolve conflict.

{Pintoh Kondoro, Kisumu}