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Images and footage of police brutality during riots that surfaced after the disputed Students Organization of Nairobi University (SONU) elections has shocked Kenyans as they continue to do their rounds on social media. Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and Women Students Welfare Association (WOSWA) have come out to condemn the sexual violence that was meted upon female students during the riots. FIDA in particular wants to know who authorized the GSU officers’ involvement in the riots.

Protocol requires is that if at all there was need to call in GSU officers, the Para military should have been accompanied by University authorities and not student representatives. The GSU are Para military; the constitution of Kenya provides that for any release of military, has to be approved by parliament. This did not happen in this specific case. Furthermore, FIDA questions the intention of GSU officers making their way to girl’s hostels, hostels with students with disabilities and ladies’ washrooms where some students sought refuge away from the chaos. FIDA also states that they have been informed that innocent female girls were raped; phones, money and laptops were also stolen from them.

“We are disappointed at the loud silence of the University authorities. No efforts have been made to trace the students violated and or if they have received medical care”, says Chairperson of FIDA Josephine Wambua- Mong`are.

Wambua has personally raised the issue with the Independent Police Oversight Authority Chairman (IPPOA) Machiaria Njeru who has promised that stern action will be taken to the perpetrators of these heinous acts. Wambua has also expressed her concerns over such violence being experienced just as the country heads for elections in 2017. FIDA also seeks audience with Minister of Internal Security Maj. Gen Joseph Nkaissery and the GSU Commandant Mr. Toroitich Chelimo to deliberate on the way forward. The body further calls on the University of Nairobi to enforce laws to see to it that such acts of lawlessness as displayed in University do not go unpunished. They also ask that the university inform the public on what measures it is undertaking to investigate the root causes of the tension and violence witnessed and how they plan to avert a repeat of such violence so as to restore the public’s confidence in the institution.

While these are legitimate woes, the definition of victims in similar instances is very scanty. What rights does the public have when their property is damaged during such riots? Who speaks on their behalf? Secondly, if there were there male students who stayed away from the riots and lost their personal items, who is  raising hell over it? Does it slide because they are male students? Given that almost every election in the institution is plagued by such occurrences, how long will it be till the school can take charge and avoid mayhem? It remains to be seen whether the various stakeholders involved in the fiasco will address the issue of violence in the institution.

Below are opinions of some Kenyans on the matter that were shared on social media.