Lawyer Francis Wanjiku of I.C Law Advocates LLP firm has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Meru University over three unaccredited engineering courses offered in the institution.
The ultimatum issued on September 25, indicated that the university has been offering the courses without the requisite accreditation from the Engineers Board of Kenya in accordance with section 7 of the Engineers Act.
Lawyer Francis in a statement addressing Meru university said 74 former students have sought his services to compel the institution to register. According to the lawyer, his clients have been unable to secure jobs due non-compliance on the part of the institution.
“Our firm has been instructed by Karl Nyaata and 73 other former students (hereinafter referred to as “our clients”) who have instructed us to address you as follows. Our clients are former students at the university who were enrolled into the following courses since 2014,” read part of the statement.
Further, the statement specified the three unaccredited courses are Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical engineering, Civil engineering, Electrical and Electronic engineering courses.
Fate of Engineering Students from Meru University
The lawyer went on to narrate about his 73 clients who are former students who took the above-mentioned engineering courses and have ended up not being absorbed into any engineering profession from the time they graduated.
“Our clients had legitimate expectations that they will be able to join the engineering profession in Kenya once they graduate. To our client’s surprise, these courses are not registered with the Engineers Board of Kenya in accordance with section 7 of the Engineers Act. Chapter 53A of the Laws of Kenya,” the statement cited.
The statement indicated that for almost 10 years, the university has not sought accreditation from the Engineering Board of Kenya despite the claims.
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Wanjiku now claims that the institution’s negligence has been barred the former students from securing employment opportunities for a long time and in turn impacted their social, economic and financial aspects due to violation of consumer rights to access quality education by the University.
Lawyer Francis Instructs Meru University
Lawyer Francis has instructed the University to seek approval and accreditation from the Engineering Board of Kenya within seven days to continue offering the three-engineering courses.
Failure to take the recommended measures, the lawyer states, will invite legal action without further reference to the institution.
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The notice was copied to the University Chancellor, Prof. Romanus Odhiambo, Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba, Chief Commission Officer for University Education Prof. Mike Kuria and to the Chief Executive Officer Engineer Board of Kenya Eng. Margaret Ogai.
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