Meru University Closes Indefinitely
Meru University Closes Indefinitely. The Meru University of Science and Technology has been shut down permanently as a result of the student disruption that kept the Meru-Maua highway blocked for the majority of Monday.
Several students reportedly protested and asked that Romanus Odhiambo return to work after the university council placed him on terminal leave due to the turmoil. Odhiambo’s term in office expires in July.
According to a memo from acting vice chancellor Charity Gichuki, the University Senate agreed to permanently close the institution after a meeting.
Council Chairperson Rosin Mwebi wrote in a letter dated February 28, 2023 that the Council had assessed Odhiambo’s performance and had deemed it unsatisfactory.
He requested a contract extension from the university council in December 2022, but it was denied.
The letter read, “The University Council examined your performance and deemed it to be below expectations at its meeting on February 27, 2023. So, despite your request in your letter dated December 20, 2022, the council decided not to renew your contract.
The letter also lowered part of the VC’s responsibilities, stating that he was merely to handle ongoing expenses and personal compensation. He was informed that he was not permitted to interact with any university capital projects.
Before, several members had charged Prof. Odhiambo with recruiting personnel with impunity. Additionally, they requested that the university’s Nairobi campus should be shut down.
Four months before his term ends in July, on Friday, March 3, he was placed on terminal leave. The terminal leave was sought to be canceled by the striking students.
He was instructed to take a final leave of absence while the university council searched for a suitable replacement.
The Senate decides to shut down the university permanently as a result of this disturbance. The acting VC declared, “All students must leave the premises right away. She announced that the celebration for the 10th graduating class, which was initially scheduled for March 11, has been postponed immediately until further notice.
During the protests, university students engaged in running altercations with police while setting a moving car on fire.
