MOI OPENS AS VARSITIES BREAK

There was drama in Maseno University as students threatened to stage protests following a directive by the administration that all students hand over their rooms before going on Christmas break. This was reportedly to free the limited accommodation facilities in preparation for the double intake scheduled for next semester. Fortunately for the students, they finally had their way when the management gave in and allowed them to retain their rooms. Meanwhile, in Moi University, students are just starting their second semester as 2010 KCSE students venture into life as comrades. This is part of the university’s strategy to speed up their admission. Engineering students in the institution’s main campus will, however, have to wait a little longer before they can resume their studies following the indefinite closure of all departments in the faculty for what the administration termed as “rowdiness”. The engineers had staged a demo seeking an explanation from the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof RK Mibey, after the administration resorted to use postgraduate students to administer the then on-going examination, which did not augur well with the lecturers who vowed not to mark exams administered by non-professionals, terming the exercise illegal. Subsequently, officials of the Technology Students Association have reportedly received summons to face the disciplinary committee to answer charges over incitement. The issue, which has brought about a heated discussion among comrades has left many wondering the position of the University’s Student Governing Council, which so far has remained mum over the matter.

JAB DOUBLE INTAKE FAILS TO TAKE OFF

Uncertainty continues to cloud the proposed double intake of students by the Joint Admissions Board (JAB) as form four leavers who had been hoping to join campus before the end of this year begin to lose hope. Despite efforts by the JAB officials to reassure the students that the double intake program is still on course, many of the aspiring comrades who have spent most of the year idle in the hope of joining campus with the current lot of freshers, have expressed their frustration at the poor implementation of the program. While the board has confirmed the admission of the 2010 KCSE graduates to various public universities, only a few have been officially called to their respective institutions. With the exception of the Kimathi University College where the students are expected to report on 5th September and Kenyatta University where a small number of 2010 KCSE graduates have been admitted for a few selected courses, no other public institution have shown any form of compliance to the JAB directive. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that students who sat for KCSE in 2009 have already begun streaming into public universities a fact that seems to add more frustration and despair on the 2010 lot. While it is apparent that the limited facilities and resources available in the universities are largely to blame for the hiccups in the implementation of the program, the failure by the concerned parties to offer any directives on what lies ahead has only created anxiety and confusion amongst the young comrades to be.

Editor’s Note: Moi University has since announced admission for 2010 KCSE graduates.