Kenyan University forced to indefinitely shut down crucial campus

juma chrispinus

November 12, 2017 9:06 AM

The institution had invested over Sh370 million to set up the campus.

After a series of Thursday meetings between Rwanda’s Council of Higher Education, students and staff, the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology’s Rwanda campus officially shut down.

The shutdown which has affected undisclosed number of students, means that the pressure will be put on the Juja based main campus, the University Management has said.

University Council chairman Prof Paul Kanyari divulged that other students will be distributed to Rwandan universities under the credit transfer programme. He added that other who wish to pursue their studies through open distance learning programme will be allowed to do so.

"The winding up of the institution is in compliance with government directive," Prof Kanyari affirmed.

The turnout of events in Rwanda come in the backdrop of a detailed plan by Kenyatta University to exit the East African nation after making an investment valued at Sh370 million in its expansion drive into the Rwandan market. The Rwanda campus has allegedly failed to admit students since its opened its doors.

Dr Matiang’i directive

In July this year, Education Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i directed the two universities – JKAUT and KU - to close their campuses in Rwanda and Tanzania.

Tanzanian government in September blocked admission of students in Kenyatta University’s campus citing flawed standards.

The operation of the two universities in Rwanda and Tanzania has not been rosy as even Parliament questioned the rational of having their campuses outside Kenya.

Jkuat Vice-Chancellor Mabel Imbuga last year had told the Parliamentary Investment Committee that the institution used Sh10 million and Sh21 million to start the Arusha and Kigali campuses respectively. The Arusha campus was established in November 2010 and Kigali’s campus opened its doors in 2012.

juma chrispinus