Kisii University students have given the Commission for University Education an ultimatum of 24 hours to explain to them on the grounds which 10 of the university’s 13 campuses are slated for closure.
Addressing the press on Monday in Kisii town when they held peaceful demonstrations, the students demanded urgent intervention to salvage the situation.
“We are so much aggrieved by the assessment report compiled by CUE recommending closure of ten branches of the university spread across Kenya. It's disturbing and degrading our esteemed university,” said Jef Mitei, Kisii University Students Association president.
He added: “We have given the commission a period of 24 hours to address the issue. We want to know who is behind all these. If it is us as students we go home. We want somebody to be responsible. How can students for instance from Kabarnet in the Rift Valley access higher education if our campus is being closed down.”
Seth Anunda, the spokesperson of the University Students Association, alleged the step of closing down the campus was politically motivated.
“We read mischief in the matter. Politics must be playing game in the matter. We want our institution to be respected for whatever reason,” he said.
The students waved placards chanting “Matiang’i must go”. They accused CS Education Dr Fred Matiang’i of sitting back and watching while things go wrong.
The CS had announced he would meet leaders from Gusii on Wednesday so that they can deliberate and establish an amicable remedy to the issues.
Students marched in Kisii streets disrupting business on the whole day.
They looted Mobile phones at Zonic and Mombasa hotel.
CUE through its CEO David Some issued an ultimatum of 90 days for Kisii University to relocate its students from the ten affected campus to the approved campuses.