Chaos erupted at the University of Nairobi on Tuesday after medical students staged a protest over delayed and missing examination results. The demonstration, which began peacefully, quickly escalated into a confrontation with police along University Way, leading to the use of teargas to disperse the crowd.
The students, armed with placards, whistles, and vuvuzelas, assembled at the main campus demanding answers from the university administration. They accused the institution of mishandling their exam results, claiming that delayed grading and missing marks had disrupted their academic progression.
Chanting slogans and marching through the busy road, the students blocked traffic, creating a major jam in the city center. A video seen by Kenyans.co.ke captured the demonstrators voicing their frustrations and urging the administration to act swiftly.
However, the protest took a violent turn when police officers moved in to restore order. Officers lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the students, sparking chaos as some demonstrators retaliated by pelting stones at the police. The standoff caused panic among motorists and pedestrians in the area.
According to the protesting students, the issue has persisted for several weeks without any clear communication from the administration. They argued that missing marks not only stall their academic progress but also jeopardize their careers, particularly for those set to graduate or proceed to the next phase of their studies.
“The situation is unacceptable. We cannot move forward because our results are incomplete. Our future is on hold,” one student was heard saying during the protest.
The University of Nairobi has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident or to clarify the fate of the affected students. Similarly, police authorities have not provided details on whether any arrests were made during the confrontation.
The unrest adds to growing concerns about efficiency and transparency in the management of academic records at public universities. With tensions still high among the medical students, stakeholders now await a response from the institution’s leadership to address the grievances and restore calm on campus.
