Rongo University has been closed indefinitely following ongoing student unrest after the University students staged demonstrations in the higher learning institution over disputed students’ leaders’ elections.
In a Tuesday, 26th March 2024, memo signed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Michael Ntabo and seen by The Kenya Times, the University leadership resolved to close the institution indefinitely ordering students to vacate.
“Senate at a meeting held on resolved that the University be closed indefinitely due to ongoing unrests as a result of student election.
All students are directed to vacate the University premises immediately,” read part of the memo.
Speaking to The Kenya Times, the Dean, School of Information, Communication and Media Studies Dr Lamech Ronoh, confirmed the indefinite closure noting that the Senate will convene a meeting next week to decide on when the students shall resume.
Traffic disruption in Rongo
By the time of publishing this article, traffic disruption along Rongo-Migori Highway at Kitere center had been reported due to ongoing protests by the Rongo University students.
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Motorists were further advised to use alternative routes where possible or plan for travel delays.
A source close to The Kenya Times revealed that the demonstrations erupted after students supporting different candidates and from different political affiliations in the race for new student leaders differed with the outcome of the elections.
“So, we had two political affiliations. Both parties have been playing tribal cards all throughout the campaign season.
As you know, the school is situated in the lake region and most guys from the area were against being spearheaded by someone who’s not from here like it’s been the rule,” revealed the source.
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According to him, the team which was led by the candidate not hailing from the region had the advantage of numbers in terms of voting delegates during the voting.
He further revealed that at the time of the closure of the institution, the candidate had since been announced as the duly elected candidate, with his team clinching almost all positions.
“They literally clinched almost all positions which led to today’s mayhem as well as last week’s. It has been uproar from the other team to an extent they hired goons who’ve destroyed school property,” he added.
The University is located in Migori County and consists of various Schools such as Arts, Social Science, Business Studies, Agriculture, Science, Education, and Information, Communication and Media Studies, among others.
