Karatina University Closed Indefinitely After Violent Protests

Karatina University in Nyeri County has been closed indefinitely after students staged violent demonstrations over alleged exploitative matatu fares and rent charged by owners of private hostels.

The move followed a special meeting held by the University Senate of the institution of higher learning, which resolved to suspend the first semester of 2024/2025 Academic Year activities following students' demonstrations outside the University (Gitunduti and One Kilometer area).

"This is therefore to announce the closure of the university with immediate effect," an internal memo communicating the directive and seen by Viral Tea read in part.

Further, all students were advised to vacate the University premises with immediate effect latest 3:00 pm.

Karatina students during a protest at the university on Wednesday, December 3, 2020. /TWITTER

"All students residing in the University Halls of Residence should vacate today Wednesday, 25th September 2024 latest 3:00 pm," added the statement.

Students residing in the neighbourhood of the University were advised to seek alternative accommodation until things normalize.

The university added that the re-opening dates will be communicated in due course.

During the protests, the learners accused the school administration of failing to intervene in the matter despite several attempts to demand that the university take action.

Police officers who were on high alert quickly intervened and dispersed the protesters who had lit borne fires along Karatina Town as the standoff between the students and the area landlords intensified.

The protests add to the series of protests amongst university students, tempers flaring over what they termed as punitive measures.

On September 17, students of Multimedia University paralysed transport along Magadi Road leading to Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County as they staged demonstrations against the negligence of the management of the university by failing to institute proper hygienic conditions.

While protesting, the students accused the university administration of failing to heed their demand to restore water inside their hostels.

The furious learners blasted the school administration claiming they had gone for days without clean water, a situation they claimed was a huge inconvenience.

They also faulted the institution for a lack of stable internet connection which they claimed immensely hampered their learning activities. 

Multimedia University students stage demonstrations along Magadi Road in Rongai, Nairobi on September 17, 2024. /JOHNKAMAU PRESENTER