The decision by the University of Nairobi to suspend over 200 students following riots that marred the institution after a disputed student body elections have been termed as ‘unwarranted’ by embattled Secretary General Erick Janganya.
The institution’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Mbithi confirmed suspensions of 61 students on Tuesday before revealing 139 more names on Wednesday.
But Janganya who was also among the casualties challenged the University Senate to review the decision to avert further damage.
“As a student leader, I am really concerned with the arbitrary suspensions imposed on students without due process," he said.
"The Senate should review that retrogressive decision before the situation escalates,” he said during an interview at Kisii.
“For instance, I don’t know why my name and so many comrades are appearing on that list," said Janganya.
"Those who propagated the violence are well known and I am shocked very innocent people have been victimised. This is a tragedy that will not go unchallenged,” he added.
He appealed to the Ministry of education and parliamentary education committee to chip in and rescues the university from ‘embarrassment'.
“The suspensions are unwarranted and the VC must be warned over the same. There are rules governing UoN and they must be duly followed," he said.
"I call upon the Ministry of education and parliamentary committee on education to chip in and rescue our institution from embarrassment,” said Janganya who also doubles up as ODM youth league leader from Kisii County.
He also challenged the ministry of education to regulate powers of the university senates to avert student rampages in institutions of higher learning.
“The ministry of education should regulate powers of university senates which occasionally make decisions which are unwelcome. But for our VC, he must be warned that comrades are not suspended in such a manner,” he said.
The institution was closed following a rampage by supporters of long-serving student leader Paul Ongili popularly called Babu Owino and his main rival Mike Jacob.