UoN suspends 62 students over recent chaos

The University of Nairobi has suspended 62 students, including Babu Owino’s opponent Mike Jacobs, over the recent chaos that rocked the institution following a disputed student election.

The university initiated disciplinary processes against the students for participating in student unrest and the destruction of public property.

According to a public notice to all students signed by Vice Chanceller Peter Mbithi, the suspended students are required to collect their suspension letters from the Registrar, Students’ Affairs, by Friday April 15, 2016.

“The details and particulars of the students involved can also be accessed from the university’s website www.uonbi.ac.ke and respective student email addresses,” read the notice.

Last week, the University of Nairobi was closed indefinitely following two days of riots by students protesting the re-election of Babu Owino as SONU chair.

The resolution was reached after a special senate meeting at Utalii House in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Students were ordered to vacate all Nairobi campuses by 5PM Tuesday as security presence was heightened.

The students had on Monday last week disrupted transport in areas near the University campuses as they protested the election results and subsequent swearing in of Babu Owino.

Chanting anti-Babu Owino slogans, the students torched SONU offices located at the university’s main campus.

Babu Owino’s strongest challenger in the Saturday poll, Mike Jacobs, had been leading the demos, challenging the legitimacy of the election, even as Babu insisted that he was legitimately elected.

Owino has served as SONU chair for four terms, contrary to the school’s Constitution that puts a term limit of two years.

Here is the list of the suspended students: