Tale of the University of Nairobi student who died after police 'raid'

Reports about last week’s GSU assault on University of Nairobi students have left many Kenyans foaming at the mouth.

And despite numerous blogs running stories alleging that 14 students had succumbed to injuries sustained during the operation, only one student died.

Tom Wanjohi, a third-year student at the school, passed on in the early hours of October 2, after succumbing to his injuries. An overnight vigil was laid in his honour later that evening at the main and Lower Kabete campuses, during which the massive number of students in attendance lit fires on the school grounds.

The vigil was also said to have been serving the purpose of ‘warm up’, in preparation for their planned demonstration the following day, October 3. However, their plans were thwarted when the administration shut down the school indefinitely due to “the deteriorating security situation” — ordering the students to vacate the school premises.

The 26 injured students, however, were asked to remain behind and record statements with The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) before heading home.

Campus Vibe can report that 18 students have been suspended from the school in connection with the planned demonstrations. Out of the 18 expelled students, at least 10 come from one community, bringing forth claims of ethnic profiling and tribalism by the school administration. Student leaders at the school, namely Apiyoh J.F Apiyoh and Jamal Birkan, have come out strongly accusing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbithi, of taking orders from Moses Kuria and Jubilee. Jamal Birkan says: “The administration allowed the officers entry into the school and let them assault the students, to an extent of resulting in death.

“We, therefore, demand for nothing less than the resignation of Prof. Peter Mbithi.” He also added: “We received the news of the closure of our school on the night of October 2, through Moses Kuria on social media.”

During a Kenya University Students’ Organization (KUSO) press conference, Apiyoh also called for the resignation of IG Joseph Boinett for allowing his officers to brutalise innocent students in the manner they did.

UoN Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Mbithi as well as parents/close relatives of the deceased student, Tom Wanjohi, were, however, unavailable for comment on the matter.