University of Nairobi suspends 62 students over strike

The University of Nairobi (UoN) has suspended 62 students for being involved in rioting and destruction of property during a recent students’ unrest.

Among those who have been sent home is Mr Mike Jacobs, who led a group of students in protesting against the re-election of Mr Paul Ongili, also known as Babu Owino, as the Student Organisation of Nairobi University (Sonu) chairman.

Mike Jacobs lost to Mr Owino, attaining 3,000 votes against the winner's 18,000 claimed the elections were rigged in favor of the winner with the help of the administration.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Peter Mbithi said the institution initiated disciplinary process against the students “for participating in student unrest and destruction of public property”.

“They are therefore required to collect their suspension letters from the Registrar, Students’ Affairs, latest by Friday, April 15, 2016,” said Prof Mbithi, in a notice to students posted on the university’s website on Tuesday.

He, however, did not indicate how long the suspension would last.

The suspension of the students comes just a day after the VC held lengthy talks with Education Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiangi and his Interior counterpart Maj-Gen (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery.

Mr Matiangi said he would not interfere with any action or decision that the university would make concerning the strike that led to the closure of the university last week.

On Monday last week, the protests against Mr Owino turned chaotic when the students burnt Sonu offices.

The students blocked a section of University Way and Uhuru Highway before police used tear gas to disperse them.

The university’s senate held a meeting the following day and resolved to close the university. Students were ordered to vacate the campus by 5pm.

The date for reopening of the university remains unknown.