Kisii varsity warned it could lose licence

Kisii University has been warned it risked losing its licences if it defied orders to shut down most of its campuses.

Addressing a press conference in Nairobi on Friday, Commission for University Education chairman Prof Henry Thairu said the university had been ordered to close 10 of its 13 campuses which fell below the expected threshold.

“Kisii University stay put at your own peril. It is inconceivable that they would defy orders of the authority that accredited them.

We have the powers to withdraw those licences or that of any other institution that contravenes the law,” said Prof Thairu.

The commission gave the university 90 days to close the 10 campuses and relocate the students to accredited ones.

However, Kisii University management has criticised the orders, saying they were politically motivated.

CUE CAUTION

At the same time, the commission warned students against enrolling in universities it has not accredited.

Prof Thairu said the commission would not recognise certificates issued by such universities.

The commission boss released a list of campuses that have been marked for closure as they scored less than 50 per cent in the evaluation criteria.

These are Kisii University campuses in Eldoret, Eldama Ravine, Nyamira, Kabarnet, Migori, Ogembo, Keroka, Kehancha, Kapenguria and Isebania and Laikipia University campus in Nyahururu.

He also said the commission does not recognise doctorate degrees awarded to five Kisii University students.

(READ: CUE revokes degrees awarded to five students by Kisii University)

“The PhD admission of the five students was highly irregular as it was based on a post-graduate transfer policy that is not provided for in either the Kisii University Statute or the University Standards and Guidelines,” said Prof Thairu.

The shortcomings of these universities is that some are in areas not compatible with a learning environment as they are close to either bars, brothels and casinos.

Some were singled out as they are located in noisy areas such as bus stops, airports or near quarries, dumpsites and factories.

The university also listed 13 campuses which are under review. These campuses under review have been given 90 days to address aspects raised in the evaluation report from CUE, failure to which they will be closed.

“The commission will after 90 days re-inspect the campuses to ascertain satisfactory evidence-based response to the various aspects raised,” said Prof Thairu adding that “an unsatisfactory response in the campuses will lead to their closure.”