Underfunding of Kisii University has contributed to closure of its five satellite campuses, a top varsity official has said.
Dr. Joash Kerongo, who is the Registrar Academic Affairs in the university, has said that every year the government allocates inadequate funds to drive the normal functions of the institution.
Speaking on Tuesday in an interview at the main campus, Kerongo noted that under-funding from the government had crippled some of the functions of the university including purchase of learning facilities and payment of lecturers.
“Kisii University gets only Sh900 million every year as opposed to other universities who get above Sh1.5 billion from the government,” said Kerongo.
He added that being a young and fast growing institution, the government ought to disburse a lot of funds since the population is growing at a faster rate.
He defended the closure of the campuses following the recommendations of the Commission of University Education (CUE) to close them down as they were found to be operating below standards of the commission.
“The satellite campuses were set up to reach out many students seeking higher education and bring it closer to the communities without necessary going to the main campus,” said Kerongo.
In addition, he said that the campuses were not opened up for selfish nor commercial gains as it has been alleged.