Though the students’ families are reportedly safe, they are keeping a close tab over the developments through phone and Internet communication with their families and friends at home.

Jack, a research student at the Faculty of Technology and Engineering, who spoke to his family members after a rally scheduled at Uhuru Park, Nairobi by the opposition against the re-election of President Mwai Kibaki was called off, said, “Everything is fine in Nairobi after the demonstration rally was put off, otherwise there was a possibility of violence.”

He added, “Riots took place in parts of Kisumu. It did not spread to other regions. I am hopeful that the situation will come under control soon.” Jack said the relatives of Gujarati families should not worry, as nothing would happen to them, adding that around 6,000 Gujaratis stay in Kisumu and 43,000 in Nairobi.

A third-year student at MSU’s Psychology Department from Meru, Kenya, Irene Nkatha said, “My family and relatives are safe. There is hardly any incident of riots at my place.”

Another Kenyan student at commerce faculty, Jacqueline Muleniya, pursing her PhD in Kenyan banking, was shocked by the turn of the events.