Expect more violence at the University of Nairobi where students are demanding officials lift ban on cooking in hostels. They also demand re-admission of students suspended over election riots and arson.
Cooking in rooms has been banned as a fire hazard because of overloaded electrical circuits.
Students demonstrated on Saturday and smashed cateteria windows. They said they will do it again this Saturday after exams end.
This comes even as calm returned to the institution after students’ unrest on Saturday night. They accused the VC of interfering with their “personal lives and well-being” at the university.
“It is currently calm but I can assure you after the exams, students will protest. Students are tired,” said Michael Jacobs.
The university has barred students from cooking in the hostels and instead directed that all meals be taken from the cafeteria.
The university’s corporate affairs director John Orindi said the order followed an advise from the KPLC that students were exposing themselves to danger by cooking in the hostels as they were overloading the electricity system.
“The decision to bancooking was based on advisories from the Kenya Power and Light Company that cooking in the hostels is dangerous. That’s why we have had frequent blackouts and maybe, an explosion might have followed,” he said.
“We have reduced prices of meals in our mess by 25 per cent and we think the prices are pocket friendly,” he said.
Orindi said living in hostels is optional and those who are not happy with the new regulations are free to seek accommodation elsewhere.
Sonu chairman Babu Owino supported the students but said the demos were not necessary. He said he will work to have the order reversed.