Kisii University closed indefinitely following students protest

The decision to close the institution was reached after a lengthy meeting by the institution's Senate.

In a notice to the students, the Registrar Academic Affairs, Dr. Joash Kerongo, as the undersigned; and copied to the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors and respective Deans of Faculty, ordered all students, especially those within main campus to vacate hostels until further notice that will be communicated through media.

Following the Monday protests, over 30 students from Kisii University were arrested on suspicion of burning a fee collection office.

The students allegedly used a petrol bomb to set the office ablaze; and also lit bonfires along the busy Kisii-Kilgoris road, disrupting traffic for several hours.

The arrested students were arraigned in the Kisii magistrate’s court on Tuesday and charged with destruction of public and private property.

They denied the charge and were each released on a bond of KSh10, 000 and a surety of a similar amount or a cash bail of KSh5,000. The hearing was set for December 7.

On Monday the Anti-riot police moved in swiftly in an attempt to return normalcy.

Sources say the students were protesting the introduction of new fee payment rules by the varsity administration that requires all students who had not cleared fees by October 15, 2015 to defer their classes until next semester. They wanted the university to withdraw the date set for them to clear fees before sitting exams.

The students also protested against many unresolved cases of insecurity reported to the police and university administration, saying both parties have done too little to improve security in their off campus residential areas. They claim that a gang has been attacking, robbing and injuring students who reside in private hostels off campus.

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