Tension gripped Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) after the administration announced the indefinite closure of the institution, ordering all students to vacate within 24 hours.
The decision followed a day of unrest on campus, where student protests disrupted lectures and normal operations.
The university had faced weeks of tension over delayed results, accommodation shortages, and rising insecurity around the Juja campus.
Students accused the administration of ignoring their concerns, leading to demonstrations that turned chaotic.
Property was destroyed as protesters clashed with security officers, forcing the management to act swiftly to restore order.
By Friday evening, the main gates were crowded as students packed their belongings and left hostels under police supervision.
The sudden closure disrupted ongoing examinations and research projects, leaving many stranded and uncertain about when learning would resume.
The university management cited safety concerns and the disruption of academic programs as the main reasons for the closure.
The decision marked a turning point in the strained relationship between the administration and students.
What began as peaceful grievances quickly escalated into a standoff that paralyzed campus activities.
Before the shutdown, learning had been ongoing despite growing dissatisfaction among students.
After the protests broke out, the atmosphere changed completely.
Security officers were deployed, and tension spread beyond the campus into Juja town, affecting businesses and transport services.
The students were the main losers, as they lost valuable study time and faced uncertainty about the academic calendar.
Traders who relied on the university community also suffered losses due to the abrupt closure.
The university management, on the other hand, sought to restore calm and protect property.
The closure exposed deep rooted frustrations within the student body and highlighted the growing challenge public universities face in balancing discipline, communication, and welfare.
As students left the campus, many wondered when normalcy would return and whether their concerns would finally be addressed.
By Kenyans