Kisii University students protest over CUE directive to close 10 campuses

Students of Kisii University demonstrate in Kisii Town on January 25, 2016 following a directive by the Commission for University Education ordering the closure of 10 of its campuses. PHOTO | AGGREY OMBOKI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • They later marched to Governor James Ongwae’s office, demanding to be addressed by him.
  • The students, numbering over 1,000, took the demo to the four campuses in the town.
  • They disrupted lessons that were going on as they forced their colleagues to join them in the protest.

Kisii University students on Monday demonstrated in Kisii Town to express their anger over a recent directive by the Commission for University Education ordering the closure of 10 campuses.

The students blocked traffic along the town's main streets and paralysed activities as they chanted slogans against Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

They later marched to Governor James Ongwae’s office, demanding to be addressed by him.

On being informed that he was in Nairobi, they marched around the town chanting slogans in the largely peaceful demo.

Student union chairman Anunda Seth said they were unhappy with the commission’s decision to close the campuses.

"This is an act meant to politicise education. We will not accept it under any circumstances,” he said.

The students, numbering over 1,000, took the demo to the four campuses in the town, disrupting lessons that were going on as they forced their colleagues to join them in the protest.