Commission closes Maralal campus of Laikipia University

The woes of Laikipia University continued yesterday after another one of its satellite campuses was closed. Mararal campus in Samburu County was closed down two days after the Nyahururu campus suffered the same fate.

The fate of 100-odd students at the institution now hangs in the balance following the new development. Officers from the Commission for University Education moved to the institution in Mararal town and ordered it closed.

Necessary arrangements

This is after failing to meet the requirements set by the commission on starting a satellite campus. Among them are ample land, physical facilities, finances, enough staff and library.

The university was located in a single streamed building in the town.

Two years ago, the commission wrote to the universitymanagement directing it to comply with the requirements. A proposal was thereafter drafted with the management agreeing to relocate the institution. University’s Vice Chancellor Prof Kibet Rotich (pictured) said there were plans to accommodate the students within the main campus and other satellite campuses in Nakuru. “It is true the two campuses have been closed down. We are looking for alternative space within the other campuses to accommodate the students,” he said.

The move has since caused protests by the affected students. Those who spoke to the Saturday Standard said they had already paid their full tuition and accommodation fees for the whole semester.

“The move caught us by surprise. We had already made the necessary arrangements to study at the campus but now we are confused,” said a student who sought anonymity.

“The two years which I have spent studying here will mean nothing. We want the management to explain to us what will happen,” said another. The students said they would be forced to incur further expenses as a result and demanded that they be compensated.

“They should pay for our accommodation in the new campuses that they are moving us to.

“This is not our fault and the university should accept the blame,” said a student leader.