University of Nairobi will not re-open in September, says VC Prof. Kiama

The anticipated September reopening of tertiary institutions as announced by Education CS Prof. George Magoha will not apply for the University of Nairobi.

The University Vice Chancellor Professor Kiama Gitahi has ruled out any form of on-campus learning this year saying the Senate has reached the decision to help fight the spread of coronavirus.

“University of Nairobi is at the epicentre of COVID-19. We are responsible people to observe how the situation is unfolding and only allow learning when we are advised by experts to do so,” said Prof. Kiama.

This implies that the admission of First Year students will be done online and the students joining university for the very first time will not be required to report to the university physically while those admitted to respective courses will register and begin their classes online as they await the COVID-19 curve to flatten.

This year’s graduation at the university will also be conducted online.

With the COVID-19 cases in the country rising each day, Prof. Kiama says allowing the 10,000 students hosted at the university’s main campus to study from school will be digging their graves.

At least four members of staff at the university have passed away due to COVID-19 related issues with several others in isolation after turning positive, this is despite the university premises remaining closed for students and majority of the staff.

“By Saturday we had 21 cases of positive staff and they are increasing… we’ve lost others and its a fact… UoN has over 65,000 students who live in all parts of Nairobi. You cannot tell us that putting sanitizer in the hostels will help… until we are advised by experts…we do not think will reopen anytime soon,” said Kiama.

Colleges and universities in the country were directed to improve their facilities and reopen in September.