The Maasai Mara University in Narok was closed indefinitely on Thursday, February 22, following a day-long riot by students.
The closure came after some students expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as interference from the university’s administration in their elections.
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Some of the students were unhappy when the institution’s Election Appeals Committee interfered and postponed the fifth MMUSA elections indefinitely.
The students sustained injuries while trying to flee or being struck by projectiles.
The unrest stemmed from a fierce disagreement between two student factions: Team Chemwile and Team Ogosi.
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Team Chemwile vehemently advocated for the continuation of the presidential elections, rejecting a petition that team Ogosi filed to stop the process.
In the delegates’ elections held on Tuesday, Team Chemwile emerged victorious with 28 delegates, while Team Ogosi secured 21 delegates.
However, team Ogosi raised concerns about the fairness of the elections, citing irregularities in the selection of delegates, alleging that they did not meet the academic requirements necessary to vie for the delegate seats.
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The students attempted to block roads near the institution, leading to the deployment of tear gas by anti-riot police.
A memo issued by the deputy vice-chancellor, Prof. Bulitia Godrick, instructed all students to vacate the university premises immediately due to the ongoing unrest.
Police were deployed to ensure compliance, resulting in chaos as students were forced out of the hostels.
