This archive report was first published on 16 November 2019.
On November 16, 2019, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) took a commendable step by recalling its students who were sent home following violent protests at their main campus.
While student protests have led to the closure of various institutions, this blanket punishment can disrupt academic programmes and delay graduation. The unrest at JKUAT should not have happened in the first place, and it is the responsibility of the university administration and security organs to ensure student safety and security.
Before the protest, students had complained several times to the university managers and the police about insecurity around their campus. The issues raised by the students have now been addressed, and they will be assured of their safety and security when they return.
It is only fair that only those responsible for the violence should be punished. The interdiction of four police officers caught on camera brutalising a student is a warning to security personnel to deal firmly with student hooliganism without using excessive force.
