Ex-pathologist Njue's college hit by illegality claim

A Nyeri college owned by former government chief pathologist John Njue continued teaching a course it was prohibited, a court was told Wednesday.

Two inspectors from the medical laboratory board had stormed the college owned to enforce the order.

Dr Njue, who was also a member of the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB) for eight years between 2004 and 2011, is charged alongside his son Lemuel Muriithi, the school director Lucy Kanyiri and a student Evans Nyagaka, with operating a medical college without approval from the government.

While being guided by State Counsel Gitonga Murang’a, the inspectors told Nyeri Senior Principal Magistrate Phillip Mutua that the college was illegally offering Medical Science and Laboratory course to unsuspecting students.

STUDENTS
Mr Daniel Kang’ethe and Ms Jackline Githae said they toured Kings Medical College in Kieni East Sub-County for its non-compliance with requirements of the board.

Dr Njue and the group are also charged with admitting students for training at Kings Medical College with a view to qualifying for registration without approval and accreditation by the KMLTTB.

According to the charge sheet, they committed the offences between January 1, 2016 and January 29.

The two witnesses told the court they were forced to storm the college in January, following complaints by graduands seeking approval of the board to start working.

FRACAS
Mr Kang’ethe narrated how they faced hostility from the college administration and students during the tour on January 29, after announcing that the institution was not sanctioned to teach the course.

He said they had initially issued two closure notices in 2016 and 2017 but the school failed to comply.

“We faced hostility at the school and were forced to call police from Narumoru. One of the accused persons, Mr Nyagaka, was arrested for assaulting a police officer while Mr Muriithi was arrested for inciting the students to cause a fracas,” Mr Kang’ethe said.

However, Dr Njue, through lawyer John Abwour, denied operating the private medical school without approval from the government.

KNEC

He said the college had approval from the Ministry of Education to train Medical Science and Laboratory course.

The lawyer said the school uses the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) exams to assess the students.

Dr Njue, who is also the Embu Level Five Hospital chief executive officer, challenged evidence of the two inspectors.

While cross-examining the witnesses, the lawyer said the prosecution had no proof that the course is only supposed to be examined by the board and not Knec.  

The hearing of the case continues on July 9.