UON may introduce term limits to student politics

The University of Nairobi could be forced to introduce term limits for student leadership to remedy growing unrest at the institution.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Mbithi alluded to this Wednesday even as he denied allegations that police used excessive force against the rioters and even sexually assaulted female students.

For the past five days the University of Nairobi has been the talk of town as rowdy students ran amok protesting results of recent elections of student leaders.

The main bone of contention being an announcement that long serving SONU Chairman Babu Owino had retained his seat for a third term.

Prof. Mbithi now seems to agree with growing concern that Owino’s leadership at SONU seems to be limitless.

Despite being a bonafide student pursuing his second degree, Owino’s tenure as SONU chairman now hangs in the balance. The university is now keen to emulate other institutions that have term limits for student leaders.

The Vice Chancellor was also keen to absolve the institution’s management from blame in the disputed SONU elections held last Friday.  

At the same time the university has denied allegations that police officers deployed to quell the riots at the campus, sexually molested students or forcefully gained entry into their halls of residence. The independent policing oversight authority has however launched investigations into the claims.

The university remains closed with the management saying it will only be reopened after all the concerns have been addressed.