University of Nairobi reopens amid new rules for students

The University of Nairobi (UoN) has re-opened after chaos caused its closure early April 2016.

The management has come up with stringent rules to ensure order in the university.

All students have been ordered to fill in new personal data forms before they can be accepted back with all expelled and suspended students denied access to the university compounds in all campuses.

Students who host non-eligible people in their rooms will be suspended and all student rooms are to be fitted with standard keys that staff can routinely access.

The University of Nairobi Enterprises and Services Ltd (UNES) has taken over the running of student kiosks in halls of residence with SONU stripped off the role and cooking in students’ rooms has been banned.

The University of Nairobi was closed on April 5th after students protested the re-election of Babu Owino as their union leader.

The protests turned chaotic when students burnt Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU) offices and blocked a section of University Way and Uhuru Highway before police used teargas to disperse them.

In late April, the University expelled 33 students, including SONU aspirant Mike Jacobs over the chaos that led to closure of the institution.

Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi said the University’s disciplinary committee issued warning letters to 143 students while 17 others were pardoned after being suspended following the chaos that rocked the main campus after a disputed students election.

Speaking to the press, the Vice Chancellor said that those expelled have a right to appeal.

Jacobs, who said he was rigged out in favour of SONU Chair Babu Owino, led students in a protest early this month that left the SONU offices and some students hostels reduced to ashes.