Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i [PHOTO/plive.com]
Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has ordered two leading public universities in Kenya to close their campuses in Rwanda and Tanzania.
According to details emerging, the establishment of Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) and
Kenyatta University campuses in Tanzania and Rwanda had earlier received reservations from the CS over their viability.
According to letters seen and reported by the Standard, Matiang'i had earlier pushed for the shutting down of the four campuses.
“The ministry is concerned about the existence of the two campuses amidst the need for quality university education and prudent and responsible finance management in line with the Constitution of Kenya, the Universities Act and the Public Finance Management Act (2012),” said the CS in letters sent earlier to the two institutions.
“I urge the university council to deliberate on the way forward on the existence of the two campuses with a view to wind them up,” said Matiang’i in his letter dated May 9.
The two universities have one campus apiece in Arusha, Tanzania and Kigali, Rwanda.
Matiang'i argued that closing the campuses will give the institutions the opportunity to direct their resources on bettering their campuses in Kenya.
His action comes just days after Tanzania mentioned the two among some 20 universities that will not be allowed to admit students starting September.
“Can you imagine the embarrassment of being told your university has been closed on issues of quality? The humiliation of one public university suspended on grounds of issues we have been raising back in the country. We must address these issues firmly,” he said.