Re-arrest University of Nairobi students, Matiang’i says

Education Cabinet Secretaary Fred Matiangi addresses the press at Kebirigo High school Nyamira County on 1/10/2107. Matiangi said Inspector General of Police hasn't given him a report on claims of excessive use of force during University of Nairobi demostrations.(photo:Sammy Omingo/Standard)

Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has defended Tuesday's closure of the University of Nairobi.

Dr Matiang'i said the closure was meant to avert a clash between police and the students.

The CS said the Tuesday action was for the good of the learners.

“We never wanted to witness scenes of students being injured or incurring problems with law enforcers," he said.

Matiang’i also defended police from accusations of brutality in their assault on students last week.

Speaking on an Ekigusii vernacular radio station, the CS said the police captured on video were pursuing hooligans hired from various suburbs of Nairobi to demonstrate against the Government on Wednesday.

“The youth who were seen being chased and beaten by the police were not students of that university (Nairobi) but hooligans who were hired by politicians to gang up in the name of university students to participate in unlawful demonstrations,” Matiang’i said.

Matiang'i also wants 35 students who were re-admitted to the university after facing criminal charges re-arrested and prosecuted.

Criminal activities

The students were arrested last year on suspicion of being involved in criminal activities in the institution.

Matiang'i said their prosecution has since stagnated.

Matiang’i claimed that the suspects might have been involved in what he described as 'unruly culture cropping up in the institution'.