INVESTIGATIONS REPORT ON MISHANDLING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI STUDENTS’ ELECTIONS AND SUBSEQUENT RIOTS OF APRIL, 2016

Abstract

The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), pursuant to its mandate as stipulated under section 8 of CAJ Act, undertook investigations into perceived mishandling of the University of Nairobi students’ elections and subsequent riots of April, 2016. The investigations were undertaken suo motu following the students’ unrest on the 4th April, 2016. The students burnt down the SONU office and a prefab hostel disputing the re-election of Paul Ongili Owino a.k.a. Babu Owino as the SONU Chairman. The investigation explored the circumstances of the students’ unrest and the role played by of the University of Nairobi Administration in the management of the elections. Pursuant to Section 37 of the CAJ Act, the Commission notified the Cabinet Secretary Education, Cabinet Secretary Interior and Coordination of National Government, the Vice Chancellor University of Nairobi, Inspector General of Police, Dean Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi and Chairman, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) of its decision to investigate the matter. This compilation of this report was informed by interviews held with members of staff and students of the University of Nairobi and police officers. The report was also informed by the examination of documents recovered in the course of investigations. Investigations revealed that the University management was faced with a challenge of managing the students’ organization due to historical lapses that have led to a culture of hooliganism among some students and that the GSU contingent which went to quell the riots used excessive force and beat some students who sustained injuries. The finding of this investigation will inform the management and governance of public universities students’ leadership organizations and in particular, the election processes. Signed this........day of October, 2016 Dr. Otiende Amollo, EBS Chairperson of the Commission Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman)