Senator Murkomen lauds UoN closure, calls for disbandment of SONU

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has hailed the closure of the University of Nairobi following protests that rocked the school on Monday.

Murkomen stated that the university’s closure was a good move and called for the disbandment of the school’s students’ organisation (SONU).

“It is good UoN was closed. Now SONU should be banned and later reconstituted with fresh leadership that reflects the calling of a university education and our national covenant,” stated Murkomen on Twitter.

The university was closed indefinitely on Tuesday after a special senate meeting held at Utalii House in Nairobi.

The senate deputy majority leader is an alumnus of the University of Nairobi where he undertook his degree in law.

Murkomen was elected as the Law Society of Kenya chair during his second year at the University, at a time when the Students’ Union had been banned.

He is also credited will helping to transform the Students’ Organisation of the University of Nairobi (SONU) and introducing the first student parliament in Kenya.

Earlier on Tuesday, Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Mbithi had held a meeting with Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i to brief him of the situation.

The students had on Monday disrupted transport in areas near the University campuses as they protested the results and subsequent swearing in of Babu Owino as SONU chair following a contested election.

Chanting anti-Babu Owino slogans, the students torched SONU offices located at the university’s main campus and stoned motorists along University Way.

@benjaminwafula