Students hold demo over degrees

By Kennedy Murithi and Grace Wekesa

Kakamega County

Engineering students at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) staged a demonstration at the university seeking recognition of their course.

They vowed to continue with the protests until engineering courses offered by the university are recognised and registered by the Engineering Registration Board (ERB).

The students, recently sent home, were recalled one week ago.

The students, waving placards, marched past the administration block and lecture halls where first year students were sitting their examinations .

According to a student, who sought anonymity for fear of victimisation, the university administration had not communicated to them since they returned to the institution. "We thought matters had been resolved but nothing has been done. We are just idling around," said the student.

However, speaking to The Standard, the university Academic Registrar Joash Mabonga said the demonstration was illegal.

"This problem is not only in MMUST. It is in most universities. The students took the university to court and should continue with their classes as we wait for the outcome," said Mr Mabonga.

The university has been embroiled in a tussle with the ERB over the quality of its courses.