Police were on Wednesday forced to use tear gas to disperse protesting medical students from the University of Nairobi (UoN).
The students, who were demonstrating over delayed exam results and missing marks, had staged a peaceful protest that quickly escalated after police intervention.
Students Demand Accountability
The protest began at the university’s main campus along University Way, with students carrying placards bearing messages such as “Accountability is also a unit. Results!!” while others blew vuvuzelas and chanted slogans.
At one point, the demonstrators spilled onto the road, carrying twigs and sticks while dancing and chanting in unison.
Police Intervention
Tensions heightened when police officers arrived at the scene. In a bid to control the growing crowd, they lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse the students. The sudden confrontation forced many to flee, bringing the protest to an abrupt end.
Longstanding Concern at UoN
The issue of missing marks and delayed results has been a recurring problem at the institution. Each year, hundreds of students reportedly miss the deadline to clear for graduation due to discrepancies in results processing, leaving many frustrated and stranded.
The university administration is yet to issue an official statement regarding Wednesday’s incident.
