24 students charged with rioting, released on bail

By FAITH KARANJA

Twenty-four University of Nairobi (UoN) students were yesterday charged with rioting in a Nairobi court, following a strike that paralysed learning in some public universities. 

They all denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndwiga and were released on a Sh500 cash bail each.

Mr Ndwiga issued a warrant of arrest against six students who never turned up to take their plea in relation to the unrest that paralysed business and disrupted traffic.

The court heard that on May 20, in Nairobi, a directive by IP John Kimtai Kemei to the rioting students to disperse was ignored.

The students were protesting over an alleged increase in fees and cuts in the maximum loan awarded to them by the Higher Education Loans Board.

The students took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the planned fees increment. Police used teargas to disperse the students who were marching to Jogoo House to seek audience with Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi.

Running battles

Following the protests in Nairobi, Uhuru Highway and University Way were closed as the students engaged police in running battles.

Prof Kaimenyi has, however, dismissed claims that he ordered a fees increment for all public universities.

More than 100 students were arrested during the protest and booked at Central Police Station before being arraigned in court yesterday. The case will be heard on July 3.

On Monday, UoN student leaders warned motorists to avoid major roads leading to the city due to Tuesday’s nationwide student demonstrations.

Students Organisation of Nairobi University (Sonu) chairman Babu Owino urged motorists to stay away from University Way, Nairobi central business district, Moi Avenue, Parklands, Kikuyu Road and Thika Superhighway.

“If you work within Nairobi and you own a vehicle, please leave it at home. We are further warning motorist to stay away from major roads” Owino said.