Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has been closed indefinitely following a strike by lecturers which paralyzed learning for weeks.
This is reflected in the notice bearing Saturday, November 1, as management commanded students staying within the institution to vacate the premises before Sunday, November 2, at 4 p.m.
The statement, signed by Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs Prof. Robert Kinyua, cited the industrial action currently underway by members of Universities Academic Staff Union, UASU, and Kenya University Staff Union, KUSU, as the main reason for the shutdown.
As it enters the seventh week, despite pleas from the government leaders, the strike has paralyzed learning and administrative operations in several public universities, leaving thousands of students uncertain over when learning will resume.
A statement from JKUAT said a special Senate meeting held on Thursday, October 30 resolved to suspend all academic programmes with immediate effect.
“Due to the ongoing industrial action which has adversely affected the normal operations of academic programmes, the University temporarily suspends academic activities with immediate effect until further notice,” partly read the notice.
However, the university clarified that this memo does not apply to all students. Students who are excluded from this category are learners on clinical rotations, postgraduate research students, and those at the Mombasa, Nakuru, and JKUAT College campuses, plus e-Learning students.
The university administration has expressed regret for this abrupt decision, while thanking students for patience and cooperation during this period.
“The Management of the University regrets any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this period,” the statement added.
The management further assured the students that the communication on the resumption of academic activities will come through official university channels as soon as normal operations may resume.
It adds to the increasing turmoil in the tertiary education system, where lecturers in all public universities have continued demonstrations to compel the full implementation of the 2017–2021 CBA, citing delays and broken promises by the government.
