7 University of Nairobi students hospitalised after police brutality

juma chrispinus

October 2, 2017 12:08 PM

There are reports that one student died, reports the institution has not officially responded to.

Amid fears that one student could have died during the alleged police brutality by GSU police officers at the University of Nairobi, seven students have been hospitalized after sustaining serious injuries.

Students of Nairobi University (Sonu) Accommodation Director Ascion Kamili told Nairobi News on Monday that the university health facility confirmed that the seven were injured after the General Service Unit officers invaded the institution last week and clobbered them.

READ: Matiang'i announces action for police officers who clobbered UoN students

“The university health department has informed us of seven students who were hospitalized, some with serious injuries,” Kamili told the press.

The sentiments from the student leader comes in the wake of heightened fears that one student could have passed on after the violent protests. He has, however, reiterated that no death of a colleague at the university was reported.

"We are yet to confirm any death," he said.

There are claims that one Tom Warui Wanjohi, a third year Architecture student, succumbed to injuries at the institution.

Last week, University of Nairobi students staged peaceful protests demanding the release of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino who was apprehended by police officers earlier last week for hate speech.

The demonstrations, however, turned ugly when the students confronted police officers at the institution’s gate along University way in the capital. Police blocked their exit, leading to a violent confrontation.

Some students who were captured on camera were bleeding and police, through the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, have denied undue use of force.

Mr Boinnet told a live TV broadcast on Sunday that his department had launched a thorough investigation into the “allegations of use of force.”

On Monday the University of Nairobi said that 27 students were injured after police raided the main campus to quell protests on Thursday last week and denied death reports.

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