The re-opening of Moi University’s main campus at Kesses, which was closed down indefinitely on Monday after the students went on the rampage destroying property of unspecified value, remains uncertain.
The management took the quick decision to shut down the institution and ordered the unruly students to vacate the premises with immediate effect to avert destruction of more property.
This followed rising tension between rival camps vying for leadership of the students’ association after election campaigns had become tribal affairs.
Also affected by the university closure are more than 600 survivors of the April 2 terror attack at Garissa University College who were absorbed at the main campus two months ago to continue with their academic programmes.
A contingent of anti-riot police had to be called in by the management after the situation threatened to get out of hand when the students began setting ablaze campaign posters of their rival groups as others hurled stones at the windows and doors of university buildings.
The campaigns of the Moi University chapter of Students Organisation National Union (Sonu) had turned chaotic after the candidates differed over the sharing of various union posts in a pre-election pact ahead of the forthcoming elections slated for July 29.
Tension and animosity between the two rival groups had been building up at the institution since the campaigns kicked off last week, taking ugly political and ethnic dimensions.
The outgoing chairman of Moi University Students Organisation Geoffrey Omondi said trouble started when a candidate, who had been proposed for the Academic position declined the offer and instead opted for Entertainment post.
This, he explained, angered students from another community, sparking controversy which led to confrontation between members of the two communities. “Students from the host community started to engage those from rival camp whom they labelled as outsiders by burning their campaign banners and accusing them of trying to grab all key union positions,” he said.
And in retaliation, the rival group who were under siege resorted to stoning their rivals as the situation threatened to get out of hand. The university’s top management called in anti-riot police who engaged the rioting students in running battles, overwhelming them.
Talking later to the Scholar, Vice Chancellor Prof Richard Mibey said the university has already suspended the ring leaders. “We shall not allow political or tribal interference to take centre stage at the university as we need to nurture a united and cohesive country,” said Prof Mibey.
He assured parents and guardians of the students that plans are at an advanced stage to reopen the university without further delays to enable the learners continue with their academic programmes.
The post Garissa college students hit again as Moi campus shuts appeared first on Mediamax Network Limited.