University students threaten to sue Kaimenyi

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi

Public university students have threatened to sue the Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi and Commission on University Education (CUE) over poor funding for establishment and development of the institutions.

Student leaders from constituent university colleges in the central and south rift region said they are not happy with the way government was funding projects that can aid in research and innovation as stipulated in the Universities standards and guidelines.

Speaking to The Standard on Saturday after a meeting in Kericho, the Constituent Colleges and Developing Universities Forum (CCDUF) chairman Alfred Chuchu said if not taken seriously, they will take the matter to court in the coming few days.

"The government has continuously increased allocation to our mother Universities while we are left to struggle on our own due to lack of facilities required in the campuses," Chuchu said.

He added, "The students have limited sports facilities, counseling services, indoor games, worship places, health facilities and small student centers which hinder students’ progress and well-being."

He said university colleges have shown interest in promoting quality research and innovation but due to poor funding of crucial facilities required, they do less compared to well established institutions of higher learning in the country.

He said some county governments are not even supporting institutions of higher learning in the counties.

"There is poor infrastructural facilities in many campuses: small lecture rooms and in some instances there are no auditoriums. It is a big shame," said Chuchu, who is also Chairman University of Kabianga Student Council.

"We are concerned about this issues and if the government continues to neglect our demands, we will move to court in a months' time to stop the government from establishing more Universities if they cannot fund the already existing ones," Chuchu said.