Amid the ongoing wave of strikes and disruption of learning in Kenyan institutions of high learning, third year students of Rongo University were asked to vacate the institution’s premises following a senate meeting held on Thursday September 19.
According to a notice shared to the public, the administration made the decision following reports of unrest among the third-year students.
Their decision was also arrived at to ensure safety of university property, other students, staff and community.
“To all third-year students, Senate at a meeting held on Thursday, 19th September 2024 resolved that due to disturbances in the University in the last 24 hours, all Third-Year students are directed to vacate the University premises with immediate effect for the safety of University property, other students, staff and community,” the notice read in part.
Cause of Rongo University student unrest
It is reported that the cause of unrest among the students was attributed to increment in school fees.
According to a source close to Rongo University who spoke to The Kenya Times, the third-year students reported to the institution from long holiday break only to find out that their school fees had been increased from Ksh 22,000 to Ksh36,000 which caused rage among the students.
Following discontentment among the students, the Vice Chancellor Professor Samuel Gudu held a meeting with them to try and explain why their fees was increased.
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The students failed to reach agreement with the Vice Chancellor prompting the administration to suspend the students out of caution.
The memo was signed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs Professor Michael Ntabo Mabururu and copied to the Vice Chancellor, Samuel Godu , Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Planning (AFP),Prof. Daniel Tarus.
Additionally, the memo was copied to Registrar Academic Affairs, Dean of Schools, Dean of Students, Security and RUSA office.
Other incidents of protest besides Rongo University
The suspension of some students at Rongo University comes at a time when their teaching staff joined their counterparts from other universities on strike which is on its second day.
On Tuesday, students at the Multimedia University went to the streets to demonstrate over poor sanitation, electric faults and scarcity of water within their institution.
Also read: IPOA to Take Action Against Officers in Multimedia University Students Assault
The peaceful protests led to injuries as some students clashed with anti-riot police officers when the protests escalated.
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