Meru University closed indefinitely after students riot

The Meru University of Science and Technology main campus in Tigania, Meru County, has been closed indefinitely following a students riot.

The University Senate met on Monday morning to deliberate on the next step of action after students took to the streets.

“Arising from this unrest, the Senate resolved that the University be closed indefinitely, and all students must vacate all the university campuses with immediate effect," the senate said in a memo.

The Senate also suspended the tenth graduation, which was scheduled to take place on March 11, until further notice.

The rioting students on Monday morning burnt down a private car as they engaged the police in running battles.

The students allegedly took to the streets to demand the reinstatement of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Romanus Odhiambo, who had been sent on terminal leave over "poor performance". 

The demonstrations are said to have begun on Sunday night and went on until Monday mid-morning.

The riots affected business along the Meru-Maua Road as well as activities at the nearby Nchiru and Kianjai markets.