This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
On November 11, 2019, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) was indefinitely closed following student unrest over alleged security concerns.
The university's Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Prof. Robert Kinyua, issued a memo on Monday, stating that the Senate had resolved to shut down the institution in a special meeting.
Prof. Kinyua directed all students to clear the campus immediately, citing concerns over student safety.
The unrest began when students took to the streets in protest against alleged security concerns in the area, accusing Juja Police Station officers of not doing enough to protect them.
Students also accused area boda boda operators of colluding with criminals to rob unsuspecting students, citing a rise in cases of their colleagues being accosted by thugs and robbed off their belongings at knife-point within the past couple of weeks.
According to a student who spoke to Citizen Digital, some of the reported incidents occurred as early as 6pm in the evening, and one of the most recent victims – a female student – is receiving treatment at the university hospital in critical condition.
A memo released by the Jomo Kenyatta University Students' Association (JKUSA) on Saturday stated that
