Policemen arrest a University of Nairobi student during protests
demanding the release of Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili, on September 28,
2017. The officers have been accused of brutality. PHOTO | COURTESY
At least 27 University of Nairobi students are nursing injuries
following a brutal attack on them by police last Thursday evening.
The
institution’s director of Corporate Affairs John Orindi confirmed that
the students were injured during the fracas in which police were
captured on camera assaulting students in their hostels, lecture halls
and within the university.
However, he dismissed as untrue reports on social media that a student died in the chaos.
BABU OWINO
A spot check by the Nation and conversations with students found no proof that a student died from the beatings when police stormed the campus as they tried to stop students from protesting the arrest of a former leader and now Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili, popularly known as Babu Owino.
A spot check by the Nation and conversations with students found no proof that a student died from the beatings when police stormed the campus as they tried to stop students from protesting the arrest of a former leader and now Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili, popularly known as Babu Owino.
One of the injured students is expected to undergo an operation at the Kenyatta National Hospital on Tuesday.
“The
student who is set to undergo operation was injured when he jumped from
the second floor of their hostel. Others sustained minor injuries and
were treated and discharged,” Mr Orindi said.
MEETING
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) has since launched investigations into the matter.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) has since launched investigations into the matter.
Education
Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i met Inspector General of Police Joseph
Boinnet, University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi and student
leaders separately at his Harambee House office.
“I
want to specifically thank the UoN student leaders for being candid with
us and promising to continue with our dialogue. I applaud you," Dr
Matiang’i, who is also the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Interior, said
on his Twitter handle.
Ipoa will brief the public on their findings, he added.
APARTHEID
Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli criticised the police action, and challenged Mr Boinnet to take full responsibility for the incident.
Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli criticised the police action, and challenged Mr Boinnet to take full responsibility for the incident.
“Mr
Boinnet must tell the country who ordered the General Service Unit to
go into the students’ hostels and terrorise them," he said.
He
asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to come out and “comment on this
barbaric act”, saying those who assaulted the students were “not police
officers but criminals".
He likened the brutality meted on the students to that witnessed during the apartheid era in South Africa.
FATALITY
University academic Staff Union (Uasu) also condemned the incident.
University academic Staff Union (Uasu) also condemned the incident.
“Students
and staff in the university like any Kenyans have a constitutional
right to picket and peaceful protest,” Uasu’s UoN Chapter Secretary
George Omondi said.
Ipoa chairman Macharia Njeru said: “There are genuine students who were indeed injured by some police officers as the demonstrators were allegedly being pursued.
Ipoa chairman Macharia Njeru said: “There are genuine students who were indeed injured by some police officers as the demonstrators were allegedly being pursued.
“We have not received any information of a fatality,” he said.
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