The Maasai Mara University in Narok was Thursday, February 22 closed indefinitely following a day-long riot by the students.
Some of the students were unhappy with what they called interference from the institution's administration in their elections.
They claimed the management had been interfering with the elections of the students’ union.
“They want to install someone they are in control of. As students, we ask to be let to do our polls democratically,” one of the students said.
Our efforts to get a comment from the college administration on the claims did not bear fruit as the deputy vice-chancellor was not available for a comment.
The students said they were unhappy after learning the institution’s Election Appeals Committee had postponed the fifth union elections until further notice.
And after learning of the postponement of the polls, the students went into riot.
Some students complained that they were injured as they ran away from the chaos or were hit by flying objects.
They tried to block roads near the institution forcing anti-riot police to deploy tear gas canisters.
This prompted running battles for a short while before the institution's senate was called to deliberate on the way forward.
A memo was later issued by the deputy vice chancellor Prof Bulitia Godrick ordering the students to vacate the institution immediately.
Police were deployed to ensure compliance, which caught many unaware.
Some begged to stay overnight Thursday in vain. The security drove the students out of the hostels amid chaos, witnesses said.
“This is to notify all students that due to the ongoing student unrest, the Senate, in a Special Meeting held today, Thursday, 22d February 2024, resolved to close the University indefinitely.”
“All students are, therefore, instructed to vacate the university premises with immediate effect,” read the memo.
Some of the students complained about the move as they sought accommodation in the nearby Narok Town.
