Intrigues between Kisii University and Commission for University Education has taken a new twist, after two leading lawyers from the region threatened to sue the commission over what they termed ‘unprecedented malice’ if the commission fails to lift the order in two weeks’ time.
The commission had ordered the closure of ten campuses affiliated to the institution, and gave the institution an ultimatum of 90 days to comply with the decision.
The commission also revoked five doctorate and two masters Degrees from students who were awarded in 2014, claiming that the students were irregularly admitted to the institution.
On Monday, Senior Counsel Okong’o Mogeni and his colleague Steve Mogaka offered themselves to give the institution free legal services if the stalemate isn’t amicably solved.
“For sure its impunity of the highest order to order closure of 10 campuses in just a single announcement. That decision was unprecedented malice and we’re not taking it lightly. The commission has up to two weeks to lift the ban by reaching a consensus with institution or I take a personal responsibility of suing the commission,” Mogeni said.
The former LSK Chair noted that the commission had acted in violation of the spirit of the constitution by releasing the information to the media before informing the institution’s management.
“CUE clearly violated the constitution because it’s clear that the management of the institution only learned the decision through media. This means that there is something they are hiding. I am ready to give free legal services to the institution if the commission doesn’t solve the issue,” he said.
Mogaka, a constitutional lawyer urged the parliamentary committee on education to solve the situation to save over 15,000 students who will be affected if the order is implemented.
“I am also ready to join my learned senior (Mogeni) to offer the institutional free legal services and I am sure we will win. Parliament should intervene speedily before we take a decision of humiliating the CUE in court of that unjustified decision,” he said.