THE STANDARD
NAIROBI, KENYA
By JOHN NGIRACHU and CAROLINE WAFULA
March 11 2009 at 21:01
University of Nairobi vice-chancellor George Magoha has asked politicians to keep off the running of the institution to avoid the kind of behaviour witnessed in the students’ protest this week.
The university administrator on Wednesday said that the institution’s administration should be allowed to run its affairs without political interference to avoid the incidents of looting and harassment of citizens as was seen on Tuesday.
“It was very sad to see them behaving that way and I hope we are allowed to run the university as we should,” Prof Magoha told the Nation on Wednesday.
Students from the university held a peaceful demonstration to protest against the killing of a colleague by police last Thursday but it turned violent when they resorted to looting and harassing citizens on roads near the institution.
Prof Magoha said the university could not take action against the students who went on the rampage after four hours of peaceful but noisy demonstrations.
“I was a spectator like everybody else and I would prefer to get instructions from my employer. How do I take action on those who were rioting when the protests were sanctioned by somebody with more authority than me? They should have allowed us to take control,” said Prof Magoha.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga had on Monday instructed the police not to interfere with the protests and asked vice chancellors not to punish students who would take part in them.
Later that day, police spokesman Eric Kiraithe and Internal Security minister George Saitoti confirmed that the police would provide security for the students. On Tuesday, police arrived to disperse the students more than three hours after they turned violent.
Prof Magoha had opposed the demonstrations, arguing that the students could be joined by other people out to cause mayhem. Students Organisation of Nairobi University chairman Dan Mwangi claimed that activists took advantage of the peaceful march to cause chaos.
Deliver apology
And on Wednesday, University of Nairobi student leaders apologised to those who lost property during the looting which took place on Tuesday.
The students also met Mr Odinga to deliver an apology on behalf of their colleagues. The PM said that what happened was unfortunate but added that he had learnt that the students were remorseful.
Elsewhere, Brazilian ambassador to Kenya, Ana Maria Sampaio Fernandez termed Tuesday’s demonstrations by university students as an important step in consolidating democracy in the country.
What is the point of having demonstrations if at all they demonstrators know they won't start chaotic scenes? Aren't these the people who our underage kids look up to? Do they know what role society expects them to play? God help us if these students aspire to lead Kenya, because looting will only morph into the vice we call graft.
Submitted by 1jere
Posted March 12, 2009 09:32 AM
I agree with the VC but want to go further. Students and youth in general, you are the only ones who can stop being gullible when it comes to dealing with politicians. They're only out to use then dump you! Use your heads and energy well, and it's not to destroy. I still think SONU owes damaged business an apology and community service. I also think the UoN should be relocated from the capital in order to avoid expensive disruptions to this country's economy over pettyisms.
Submitted by okamala
Posted March 12, 2009 08:38 AM
I support the Brazilian ambasador. Democracy is embeded in Human Rights which also include Right of Expression, Association etc. On destruction, its the duty of the police to ensure security, so that wrong elements do not take advantage; and this is also what the spirit of IPPG aimed to achieve with the idea of notifying police, so that they ensure security instead of imposing "demonstration cafews"
Submitted by NewGeneration
Posted March 12, 2009 02:59 AM
Magoha...dont be silly...do your job...and the cops should arrest those kids...theft is theft, irregardless of the political environment. If the PM wants to become a Vice Chancellor let him apply like everyone else, but he can't parade around like a dictator and impose his supervisory role on independent institutions
Submitted by Samur
Posted March 12, 2009 02:30 AM
Magoha discipline starts with your institution.Its your students who were stealing and doing all evils.UON students are known even they refuse to pay fare in matatu's,sometimes back GUNS were found in hostels.Don't use your bully tactics for discipline.Use councelling and dialogue.You are a leader of the past centuries.Demonstrations are healthy to democratic nations.
Submitted by jakager03
Posted March 12, 2009 01:37 AM
Very interesting that Magoha views this incidence as being unique. How many times before has your students rioted with greater destruction without your support and without the PM's support? Trying to excuse yourself on this incidence as if it is unique is very self-serving. My understanding is that the demo was permitted btw 9am and 12noon, The chaos started much later. I believe implementing the timelines of the demo was within the requirements of the permit.
Submitted by muriukimarie
Posted March 12, 2009 01:06 AM
Yes, you are corrrect prof George Magoha. Let the PM not try to mix education with politics. He cannot run every institution. My question is, will the PM compensate for the destroyed property by the students? Politicians let the dons do their work.
Submitted by putinlaskinov
Posted March 12, 2009 01:02 AM
Consolidation of democracy? rats tail, if you call that harassing motorists and raiding food courts. shame on u prime minister and Ms Sampaio.....These kids need to go to probation school.....
Submitted by 123jimmo77
Posted March 12, 2009 12:59 AM
Yes thanks Professor for your words. Tell them to come and be the chancellors or they keep of. We need to hear Raila apologizing to those who lost properties and he should compensate them at once. Shame on our leaders!!!!
Submitted by Jangerboy
Posted March 12, 2009 12:11 AM
No empty apologies! They must compensate those who lost their properties to University thugs! Only then can the students feel the pinch and learn from the consequences of their actions. And Brazilian ambassador - what is the colour of the sky in her world?! Democratic expression must not injure another person in the process of expressing one's rights, Madam ambassador. Raila must not give apologies only; he must give his salary and allowances as compensation to the victims. He blessed the demonstration.
Submitted by archivevan
Posted March 11, 2009 11:52 PM
My brothers you can now go to Rio or Sao Paulo for further Street protests, you have earned it. A free trip sponsored by Brazilian Embassy!
Submitted by kiomeken
Posted March 11, 2009 11:20 PM
Is wanton destruction of property in the name of demonstrationa a true democracy?. By supporting the demonstration, I think our PM acted only to please the students and to stay relevant in what he calls second liberation.
Europe Announces New Sanctions to Ramp Up Pressure on Russia
35 minutes ago
2 comments:
as a student who witnessed the demo, am scandalised that kenyans can equate university students with cakes and bread thieves!!!!!!!!! first, the whole nation must learn that the demo was not only done by students but in conjuction with human rights activists, interested citizens, common wananchis and others. infact, along uhuru highway, we witnessed some looting and when we identified the looters, we found that it was not students but civilians!!!! they were led to central police station. we finished our demo at around 12:30pm and went back to our hostels as others went to classes(BA Students). at arounnd 4pm, policemen started spraying teargas cansters into our playing grounds. this infact made us think that policemen had started also demonstrating!!!! and this finally led to the exchange between we students and the police!!!!!!! by the way, how could students demonstrate unpeacefully without stonning cars?????? of course something we dint do!!!!!!! kenyans, we need to respect the head university and chuck politics out of intelligent students.
i support prof. Magoha's stand because since when he became the VC, no riot has ever occured. Prof bigup. we like your leadership.
by omwami. UoN
Post a Comment