Varsity closes as lecturers strike bites

By GRACE WEKESA

Kakamega based Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has been closed indefinitely as the strike by lecturers and non-teaching staff continued countrywide.

MMUST senate on Thursday decided to the send the students parking after holding a crisis meeting that saw the institution’s activities paralysed as a result of the strike whose end remained unknown.

Through an internal memo signed by Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs Prof Asenath Sigot, the students were required to vacate the university indefinitely.

It read in part: ‘’Further to the earlier communication dated  September 11, 2012 on the prevailing situation in the university, it has been noted that the institution is not running optimally’’.

It continued: ‘’In view of the above, it has been decided that all students proceed to a recess with effect from Thursday 13th at 12.00 noon’’.

Students residing in university hostels were ordered to vacate by 2.00pm.

Closure of the university was received coldly by the students. They immediately held a demonstration within the institutions’ premises and in Kakamega town causing huge traffic jam.

They vowed not to go home and demanded that their rights must also be respected by the university and the government.

They carried placards that read, “This is wasting our  parents’ money and our time. We shall not go home, we want to learn,’’.

The students reiterated that they will not vacate the hostels as they deserve to stay and proceed with their studies.

They urged Higher Education minister Margaret Kamar to find a quick solution concerning the strike that they reaffirmed was affecting their academic calendar.

They added that closure of the university will not solve the on-going lecturers strike but instead worsen the stalemate.

Susan Choge, Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) chairperson Mmust chapter, said despite the university closure, they will press on with the strike until their salaries are increased.

She said lecturers and non-teaching staff have downed tools affirming that it is the university management mandate to decide the students’ fate.

“The strike is still on and the closure of the institution will not affect us, we shall press on until the government behaves,’’ said Choge.

Choge urged the government to give the strike the seriousness it deserves adding that the country is facing an education crisis that should be addressed immediately.

Efforts by The Standard to get a comment from MMUST Vice Chancellor Prof  BCC Wangila were futile.