University of Nairobi closed indefinitely following three days of student protests

Nairobi County Police Commander Japheth Koome at a press conference yesterday. He said eight machetes were found in one of the students' room in Chiromo Campus. The University of Nairobi has since yesterday closed indefinitely following students protests over disputed union elections. (PHOTO: WILLIS AWANDU/ STANDARD)

The University of Nairobi was yesterday closed indefinitely following students protests over disputed union elections.

A meeting of Senate held at the Utalii College agreed to close all the campuses and ordered the students to vacate by 5pm yesterday. This came as police launched a probe into a video circulating on social media showing police assaulting and whipping some students.

Police also denied claims of rape of the students when they went to quell the violence.

The decision came as three Opposition MPs visited the Main Campus to gather information on the assault.

The news of the closure caught some students off-guard, forcing those of Lower Kabete Campus to block roads opposing the move.

The students were scheduled to start examinations on April 11.

Earlier on, Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i met at Jogoo House over the riots, where security was top of the agenda.