Kisii University Vice Chancellor Prof John Akama has launched an onslaught against Commission of University Education, accusing it of playing politics in education management.
Akama’s comments comes after the commission ordered closure of ten campuses affiliated to the institution in 90 days’ time, and revoking five doctoral degrees awarded by the institution in the year 2014.
Speaking at Kiabonyoru region in Nyamira during a burial ceremony on Monday, the Kisii don said the commission overstepped its mandate by implementing the closure before informing the management about their decision.
“It’s really sad that a commission which is supposed to regulate university education overstepped its mandate by playing politics with education. I learnt it (order to close campuses) from the media and that isn’t the right way to do things. They should have tabled the report with specific recommendations without necessarily humiliating the institution in public,” he said.
He said the institution had become an ‘enemy’ of other leading institutions across the country due to ‘fantastic’ reception by learners.
“There are more than just we are seeing. Somebody somewhere isn’t happy with the way the institution is rapidly growing. It’s improper to gamble with education of innocent students and that is a low moment for CUE. I appeal to education committees in parliament to chip in and solve the stalemate,” he said.
Akama also questioned why the committee had not taken a bold step of sacking him if the reasons for closure were genuine.
“Let no one lie to you that we haven’t met certain requirements. They (CUE) are being pushed by external forces and I wonder why they didn’t start by sacking me instead of jeopardising education of innocent students,” he said.
The commission had ordered closure of ten campuses among them Nyamira, Keroka and eight others claiming of poor facilities and unfriendly environment as the major reasons.