UoN Kikuyu Campus shifts classes online over Thogoto insecurity surge

The University of Nairobi’s (UoN’s) Kikuyu Campus has moved all its classes online for one week following a surge in insecurity in the Thogoto area that has left a lecturer hospitalised and a student injured.

In an internal memo dated March 18, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof Jeremiah Kalai, directed academic staff to conduct lessons remotely as authorities monitor the situation.

“Please consider holding online classes for all the lessons being held in Kikuyu Campus in view of the prevailing security situation in the surrounding area for a period of one week, with effect from the date of this memo, as we monitor the situation on the ground,” the memo read.

This follows after a female student sustained injuries during a robbery in the area, while a lecturer at the institution was stabbed and admitted to hospital.

Campus President Zipporah Zainab said the lecturer remained in critical condition.

“Our lecturer is in hospital fighting for his life, and yet nobody can organise a barasa between the community and the students to call for peace,” Zainab said, urging local leaders to facilitate dialogue.

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Police confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the attacks. Residents allege the gang responsible is armed with knives and machetes, deliberately injures victims and flees on motorbikes.

The unrest is rooted in a broader community-student dispute that predates the attacks on UoN staff and students. It is reported that the trouble began after the body of Victor Karani, popularly known as Gustavo, was found near the newly built Kikuyu Level Four Hospital.

The incident is linked to an alleged altercation on March 10 involving Karani and individuals believed to be students from the Presbyterian University of East Africa, which is located in the same Thogoto neighbourhood.

Preliminary reports indicate the dispute arose after the students claimed Karani had borrowed a power bank and not returned it. Karani is the son of Pamela Alekana, a staff member at the university.

The killing sparked protests on March 12, during which youth engaged police in running battles across parts of Thogoto, disrupting businesses and transport. Hundreds of residents later took to the streets alongside Karani’s family, demanding a joint meeting between university leadership, the community, and police.

The Presbyterian University of East Africa said some of the suspects linked to the incident are in police custody as investigations continue.

By Benedict Aoya