Kisii University closes five campuses

Kisii University students walk out of the main campus in Kisii after it was closed indefinitely on October 18, 2016. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • In an advertisement in Tuesday’s dailies, the institution announced the closure of Nyamira, Ogembo, Keroka, Isebania and Kehancha campuses.
  • The decision has sent shockwaves across the university, with many staff members in the closed campuses unsure of their future.
  • Explaining CUE’s decision, Mr Thairu said the affected campuses had failed to meet tertiary education standards set by the government.

Kisii University has closed five of its satellite campuses to comply with a government directive.

This follows recommendations made by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Advisory Committee on Eminent Persons (ACEP) appointed by the Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i six months ago.

The joint committee made the recommendations in the Campuses Roadmap and Exit Strategy.

In an advertisement in Tuesday’s daily newspapers, the institution announced the closure of the Nyamira, Ogembo, Keroka, Isebania and Kehancha campuses.

“All the students in the affected campuses are advised to relocate to Kisii University, Main Campus or any other campuses of Kisii University starting from the second week of January 2017,” the advertisement read.

Among the campuses set to take in students affected by the closure are Eldoret, Kericho, Kabarnet, Kapenguria, Kisumu, Migori, Kitale and Nairobi.

'NO COMMUNICATION'

The decision has sent shockwaves across the university community, with many staff members at the closed campuses unsure of their future.

“We have not received any communication on our deployment to the next work station. This has left us worried [about] the security of our jobs,” said an Isebania campus employee only identified as Job.

Nine months ago, CUE chairman Henry Thairu said a total of 20 university campuses countrywide - eight of them in Nairobi - were identified for closure while 17 required review.

In a statement on January 25, Prof Thairu said some Kisii University campuses were marked for closure.

“Of great concern to the commission was Kisii University, whose thirteen campuses were inspected,” he said.

Explaining CUE’s decision, Prof Thairu said the affected campuses had failed to meet tertiary education standards set by the government.

“Ten of the thirteen fell below the expected threshold and have been identified for closure. The Commission is therefore considering auditing all the systems of Kisii University to ensure quality education.”

"We do not recognise five PhDs and two master's degrees awarded to students in 2014," Mr Thairu went on.

Students have protested the decision, saying they will be adversely affected since they will have to move from their current areas of residence to the campuses identified in the advertisement.

Kisii University Students Union president Seth Anunda said the decision would have a serious impact on many students attending the affected campuses.

But he refused to speculate on the student body’s next course of action, saying the student council was yet to meet and agree on the way forward.

“We will let you know on what we have decided after our meeting scheduled for later this week,” Mr Anunda told the Nation.

University officials refused to comment on the matter, referring the Nation to a liaison officer only identified as a Ms Pauline.

Calls to her mobile phone were, however, not going through by the time the story was filed.