Adventist University of Eastern Africa, Baraton in Eldoret/Kenya Photo: Adventuist University of Eastern Afrikca

Kenya: Adventist University re-opens after post-election violence forced evacuation

Eldoret/Kenia | 17.01.2008 | ANN/APD | International

Some faculty, students and staff are returning to the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton after post-election violence in Kenya forced a January 6 evacuation of some 280 people from the campus. The school reopened Monday January 14 with classes started January 16.

The school's vice-chancellor, Nathaniel Walemba, said he is expecting some 1,600 students out of the full 2,300-student body to return this quarter. Some of the lecturers have not yet returned from the church's regional headquarters in Nairobi after being evacuated.

Walemba said that only 500 of the 1,200 students who registered online have returned to campus.

"The opposition has declared that Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (16-18 January) are dates of public demonstrations, so many parents are still apprehensive and haven't sent their children back. They are waiting until Sunday to send them."

Walemba says the campus is now peaceful. "The government has sent some security reinforcement, including police; they are not always visible but they are there," he said.

Registration has been extended to the end of the 3rd week of this year. [Editor: Taashi Rowe for ANN/APD]

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