Police are carrying out investigations after the University of Nairobi students on Saturday 14th May 2016 went on rampage protesting over the school directive that was stopping them from cooking in the hostels.
The students stormed a venue where voter registration exercise, organized by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC and the United States Embassy was to be held on Sunday and burnt the tents and speakers and made away with some of the equipment.
Among the losses incurred were the tent vandalism, stealing of music systems, public address system and burning of some stuff. The students did not stop at that, they proceeded with rampage and forced the electoral registration exercise that had been organized by the US embassy and to be cancelled.
The university mess and kitchen which students set on fire were the property destroyed.The students said they resorted to the destruction after their cooking and heating appliances were taken from the hostels following the institution’s closure over protests. Organizers of the event said their equipment valued at millions of shillings were stolen and vandalized in the riots and asked for police investigations.
US embassy also announced “Disappointed in the events leading to the postponement of the @NiShowPower concert scheduled to take place today,” in a tweet.
The rioting students also stoned and stole from motorists along University Way, State House Road and Arboretum Road as they staged the protest. Top Kenyan artistes including Juliani, Khaligraph Jones, Octopizzo, Sarabi, and Sauti Sol had been scheduled to perform for free at the event.
Nairobi police boss Japheth Koome said a team of investigators is working with the university management to ensure those responsible are brought to book.
Schools Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Isaack Mbeche who spoke to press on Sunday assured that already 11 students have been identified for contravening school regulations regarding cooking in the hostels, noting that those culpable of contravening the directive will be suspended.