Kenyan university closed indefinitely after riots

By Magdalene Mukami

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - A university in capital Nairobi has been closed for indefinite period as the students demanded resignation of the vice chancellor over last week’s police assault on students.

The decision by the University of Nairobi, the largest university in East and Central Africa, was taken on a plea filed by the Students Welfare Authority, a board set up to monitor students’ relations with the university administration.

A student body’s chairman claimed that a student was killed and 26 others were injured after police used excessive force on Saturday against the students protesting the arrest of an opposition lawmaker.

“They [police] beat him to death, I have told the media about that… even the opposition leader has confirmed the killing,” Jamal Birkan, head of Students Organization of Nairobi University told Anadolu Agency.

Also videos that surfaced online show police beating up students and throwing tear gas canisters into the hostels of students.

The unrest led to an investigation launched by Independent Policing Oversight Authority, a government-funded watchdog.

Paul Ongili, Embakasi East member of the parliament, was arrested last Monday on charges of insulting President Uhuru Kenyatta on television.

The arrest came as the opposition led by Raila Odinga protested against 12 members of Kenya’s electoral body, seeking their removal. The opposition accused the members of aiding the ruling party in poll rigging.

Kenyans are set to go to the polls to vote for a new president on Oct. 26 after the country’s top court annulled the Aug. 8 general election, citing poll irregularities and illegalities.