Police assaulted varsity students, says oversight body

Police assaulted University of Nairobi students on April 2, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority has said.

The authority said evidence shows that many students sustained serious injuries, including bone fractures, in the assault.

"The alleged assault actually occurred and the same was perpetrated by police officers deployed in an anti-riot operation within the university," said IPOA in a statement.

IPOA said it had not found conclusive evidence that rape actually took place.

"Available evidence show that the assaulted students were not part of the skirmishes caused by the rioting students and were instead pulled from the A.D.D. Building and halls of residence as they were revising for exams," it said.

The authority now wants to take action against the officers involved.

"IPOA particularly expects full co-operation from the National Police Service in identifying the police officers involved in the assault," it said.

The university is closed and so far more than 200 students have been suspended over the riots.

IPOA launched investigations following the emergence of a video clip that showed a group of police officers whipping a group of civilians believed to be students.

Police have also launched investigations to uncover the source of the video, denying claims that officers molested students and arguing that it was shot in 2008.