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University of Nairobi has spoken against the lynching of two students believed to have stolen a laptop, saying the institution “does not support the act of mob justice.”
Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi (above) said the university has contacted the victim’s parents to condole with them and urged students, staff and stakeholders to remain calm as the investigations continue.
“Earlier today [Tuesday] in a meeting with the University Management Board, I condemned the incident and promise thorough and expeditious investigations and will continue to brief the two families and the entire University fraternity as and when facts emerge,” Mbithi said on Tuesday.
The VC identified the deceased as Julius Omollo (Reg. No. C01/32948/2015) and Fetya Yusuf (Reg. No. D33/33701/2015).
The two were killed on June 20, after allegedly stealing a laptop from a first year student within the university’s halls of residence.
Mbithi said the student left his room at about 3am for the Architecture, Design and Development building, which is open to the students for study 24 hours.
“As he was nearing Hall 6, he saw five young men approaching from ADD. The five men accosted him and snatched his bag containing a laptop and its accessories.”
The student called for help compelling other students to come to his rescue, pursuing the suspects towards State House road.
The students caught up with the five and beat them up. Three of the suspects escaped while the other two were frog-marched to the university where the beating continued.
University security personnel intervened and rushed the injured to the the clinic at the University Health Services, where one passed away.
The other suspect was taken to the MP Shah Hospital where he died thereafter.
Sonu chairman Babu Owino, who was on Monday linked to the killings, denied any involvement and threatened to sue the bloggers making the allegations.
Owino denied the duo were killed by a mob he had hired to stop a spate of robberies and muggings at the halls of residence.
Blogger Robert Alai made claims on his twitter account suggesting Owino’s PA had organised the killings.
– See more at: The Star
