UoN to reopen in 2021, says VC Prof. Kiama

As other institutions in the country prepare to resume in September, the University of Nairobi will remain closed until 2021.

According to Vice-Chancellor Professor Kiama Gitahi, the university senate decided not to have any on-campus learning until next year as they help fight the spread of COVID-19.

Prof. Kiama said regular learning would resume after being advised by experts on the status of COVID-19 in the institution.

"The University of Nairobi, as you recognize, is at the epicenter of COVID-19, and we are responsible people to observe how the situation is unfolding and only allow on-campus learning when we have been advised by the experts that it's safe to do so," said Prof. Kiama.

This means that students who will be joining the university for the first time would be admitted online and resume their classes once they have registered.

The graduation ceremony scheduled to take place on September 25 this year will also be done virtually.

"The graduation which is scheduled for September 25 will also be done online, and that is the position of the institution.

"By Saturday morning, we had 21 cases of positive staff, and the numbers are increasing. We've lost others, and it's a fact," added Prof. Kiama.

The VC pointed out that the university has over 65,000 students, and allowing them back before the COVDI-19 curve flattens would be a bad idea.

"UoN has over 65,000 students who live in all parts of Nairobi. You cannot tell us that putting sanitizer in the hostels will help. Until we are advised by expert, we do not think will reopen anytime soon," said the VC.