Tread carefully on the closure of universities

The ruckus triggered by threats from the Commission for University Education (CUE) to close Kisii University does not bode well for the education sector. The university has said it will ignore orders that it closes 10 campuses in various parts of the country even though it has been directed to do so, if it fails to answer queries on compliance and standards spelt out by CUE.

Last week there were demonstrations by some students when it emerged campuses in Eldoret, Eldama Ravine, Nyamira, Kabarnet, Migori, Ogembo, Keroka, Kehancha, Kapenguria and Isebania may be targeted for closure within 90 days because they had infringed CUE regulations. The 10 colleges were given 90 days to wind up and relocate 15,000 students to other accredited campuses.