Stop Plot to Shut Down UoN Campus in Kisumu, Opiyo Wandayi Tells Government

There’s a plot to shut down the University of Nairobi’s Kisumu campus, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi has alleged.

Mr. Wandayi termed the move draconian and one that would deny the region opportunities in employment and research.

Wandayi who was addressing the press in Kisumu on Saturday said that the scaling down of courses pointed at the intention to finally shut down the institution.

“How else would the management explain the scaling down of courses if not planning for the eventuality of closing down?”, asked Wandayi.

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He said the institution located next to the British Council Library at the heart of Kisumu town was a monument to history.

“The campus was begun during the tenure of the late Prof George Magoha who was the then Vice Chancellor. It therefore occupies a sentimental academic spot in the landscape and any attempts to shut it down must be resisted.”

He said the management of the University must quickly rescind the decision since a number of students have passed through the Kisumu Campus successfully.

“The economic benefits of this Campus in Kisumu including employment opportunities makes it a significant player in the economy and we therefore can’t allow it to be closed,” said Wandayi.

The Ugunja MP also revealed that the building the Kisumu campus occupies was constructed by the University of Nairobi itself and the scaling down could not be due to rent constraints. 

The Kisumu campus is located along Oginga Odinga Street within the Central Business District (CBD), and was built in 2013 to house lecture halls when the student population increased.

The campus stands next to a historic building that was gazetted as a protected site housing the British Council library.

Wandayi said the management of UoN and the Ministry of Education must rescind any plans to close the Kisumu Campus.

“If you truly mean well for this community, please stop the closure,” he said.

The MP said the leadership of the community will not sit and watch the reported closure.