News

Maseno students protest varsity’s indefinite closure

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 00:00 | By
Maseno University students camp outside the institution. The university has been closed indefinitely following students protests. Photo/COURTESY

Maseno University students have protested the indefinite closure of the institution, saying the decision was rushed.

The university was closed indefinitely on Sunday evening following riots by students over alleged rape cases reported in and around the campus.

In a memo to students, Vice Chancellor Julius Nyabundi said the decision was reached by the university Senate after failure by the students to engage the management in structured dialogue over the matter.

Engage management

“Following unrest by students over alleged rape cases reported to have occurred in and off campus students’ residences, and failure by the students to properly engage university management on the same, the Senate has resolved to close the university with immediate effect until further notice,” read the statement.

The students were ordered to vacate the university premises by 7.30pm on Sunday.

However, yesterday some students expressed displeasure with the move to shut down the institution, terming it rushed.

They said the university administration should have come up with a lasting solution to the issue, including measures to boost security.

The University Student Organisation secretary general Alex Kalugho said the closure will interfere with learning programmes especially the ongoing exams which were to end on December 10.

Kalugho said security of the students residing outside campus was deteriorating, a situation which calls for radical interventions. “It is not the first time we have raised concern over insecurity in the university.

Last month, some students were attacked and robbed. We demand that action be taken to remedy the situation,”  he said.

The students demanded that security agencies investigate and arrest the perpetrators of the rape cases around the university.

“We want the administration to liaise with the government agencies in finding a permanent solution to this matter,” said Joseph Obote, a student.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT