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Chaos mars University of Nairobi elections


Violence rocked the Students Organization of Nairobi University (Sonu) elections that saw Babu Owino retaining the chairmanship on Friday night.

Opposing camps of students faced-off as the situation turned violent during the swearing in of Owino on Saturday by Chief Legal Officer.

Anti-riot Police officers had to be called in to quell the fracas as the opposing camps traded accusations and exchanged bitter words.

Newly elected Students Organization of Nairobi University (Sonu) chairman Babu Owino (center) walks away after being sworn-in flanked by his supporters. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE
Newly elected Students Organization of Nairobi University (Sonu) chairman Babu Owino (center) walks away after being sworn-in flanked by his supporters. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE

“I am the duly elected Sonu chairman having won in 10 of the 11 polling stations. I am the new chairman and I will serve the students,” Owino said in his speech.

ELECTION IRREGULARITIES

However, the newly-elected chairman failed to field any further questions from journalists and was whisked away into a waiting vehicle which sped off before students from the opposing camp could get hold of him.

Mr Owino’s main challenger, Mike Jacobs, refused to concede defeat saying he will not recognize Owino’s election following massive election irregularities.

Anti-riot police officers restrain opposing camps of students of University of Nairobi who were demonstrating during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Sonu leaders. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE
Anti-riot police officers restrain opposing camps of students of University of Nairobi who were demonstrating during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Sonu leaders. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE

He also accused Mr Owino of hiring goons to manipulate the results in his favour.

“We are going to petition this election and we will not recognize him as our chairman. How comes he has been elected into office on three occasions? This is not Zimbabwe or Uganda,” Jacobs said.

Four candidates contested the chairmanship during the elections.