The University of Nairobi, which was closed 10 days ago following students' protests, is set to reopen today.

Students in the college of health sciences and fourth year Education (Arts) and Law students have been recalled to start their studies.

Also recalled were all parallel students attending classes in the evenings and on Saturdays.

First, second and third year veterinary medicine students and all students who were on the residential fourth term when the institution was closed will also report today.

"The students who were on field attachment continue as programmed earlier," said an advertisement yesterday.

According to the statement signed by acting academic registrar S. Mbalu, the seventh intake of the Faculty of Law (parallel programme) will start their clinical attachment today.

But second and third year students from the College of Humanities and third year Education (Arts) students will report on October 18.

The university was closed indefinitely on September 16 when students rioted to protest over an East African Standard report that the university intended to increase fees by Sh8,000.

Last week, Prof Kiamba said the university will take disciplinary action against those who masterminded the strike.

Meanwhile, police were yesterday on high alert in anticipation of riots at Kenyatta University.

Officers in riot gear were stationed at the Nairobi area police headquarters as early as 9am, ready for combat.

Four lorries were on standby to transport the officers to the main campus in case the students disrupted transport along the busy Thika highway.

A spot check by the Nation found officers idling on the compound as they awaited further orders.

"We want to be ready as we anticipate there will be riots again in KU over matatu (public vehicles) fares. It's better to prepare than to be caught off-guard," a senior police officer who declined to give his name said.

Students at the university fought running battles with the police on Friday protesting against high transport charges.

They blocked the Thika-Nairobi highway for several hours using stones and bonfires, causing a heavy traffic jam.

More than 150 officers battled the students with tear gas in an attempt to drive them back into the campus. The students had accused matatu operators of charging them Sh70 to and from town instead of Sh30.

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