Baraton University shuts down four satellite campuses over decline in student enrollment

University of Eastern Africa-Baraton photo:courtesy

The University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, has closed its satellite campuses in Kisii, Nairobi, Eldoret and Kisumu.

A statement sent to newsrooms and signed by Vice Chancellor Phillip Maiyo said the decision was the result of decreasing student enrolment.

Following the closures, the university senate has instructed all students based in the affected campuses to report to the main campus in Nandi County "with immediate effect" to be advised on the future of their education.

"The university council, in its meeting of June 18, 2017, decided to close the four campuses located in Eldoret, Nairobi, Kisumu and Kisii with immediate effect," read the VC's letter in part.

FURTHER DETAILS

"All students in these four campuses are required to report to the main campus where further details will be communicated to them."

About 1,000 university workers, including lecturers and support staff in different departments in the four closed campuses, are now staring at the possibility of job loss. They said they were still waiting to hear about their fate.

A university senate official who sought anonymity however said it was "obvious" that the closures would result in heavy job cuts.

"It is obvious but unfortunate; the university will have no choice but to end the contracts of most employees operating in the closed campuses," said the official, adding that the main campus had no capacity to absorb all the workers from the closed institutions.

Unhappy students, parents and workers are now threatening court action against the university's sudden decision to close the campuses.

VERY UNFAIR

"It is indeed very unfair to us as students; the cost of moving from Nairobi to Baraton in Nandi is unbearable as I enrolled in the Nairobi campus because of its proximity to my home and work place," said one student who had pitched camp at the main campus to seek clarity on the changes.

"The workers may have to resort to court for legal action against the university; I hope they have a clear exit plan for all workers to cushion us from the sudden loss of our jobs," said a Kisii campus worker who had visited the main campus to seek answers on the future of his job.

Unhappy university staff also accused the senate and administration of mismanaging and running down the institution. They said there was no budget for marketing projects to boost visibility.