UoN closed indefinitely after students riot over police invasion, assault

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

“UON senate has today closed the University with immediate effect due to the deteriorating security situation. Students have been asked to vacate the halls of residence with immediate effect but not later than 9.00am,” read a tweet from the institution.

The students had on Monday night gone on the rampage as they protested the invasion and assault by police last week.

At least 27 students were Thursday injured when police invaded lecture halls and hostels and clobbered them to quell riots that were ongoing.

Monday night, the students blocked sections of Mamlaka Road and State House Road before police arrived to disperse them, firing gunshots into the air.

They burnt down security offices there saying the officials had failed to stop the police invasion and blocked a fire engine from reaching the site. The fire engine crew demanded to get armed escort to access the site in vain.

More protests were Tuesday morning reported along Lower Kabete Road. Some students closed roads near there forcing motorists to seek alternative routes. They were demanding the removal or resignation of Vice Chancellor Prof Peter Mbithi saying he is was the one who allowed and invited the police to invade the institution classes and halls to assault and steal from them.

They chanted, "Mbithi must go! Mbithi must go!" Most unrest happened at the main campus. This was after the institution had addressed a press conference to justify the police action. The incident is being investigated.

There was tension at the institutions with plans of more protests on Tuesday before the closure was announced. Anti-riot police were put on standby.