Lectures Disrupt at Maasai Mara University Over Student Riot

Maasai Mara University Student Riot

LEARNING at Maasai Mara University remains paralysed after a section of students locked the institution's main entrance. Yesterday, the students demanded the replacement of acting Vice-Chancellor Prof David Serem and accused him of mismanaging the institution.

The students who held a 'Kamukunji meeting' at the university sports ground cited poor leadershipsince Prof Serem was appointed in 2009. Daniel Letoya, the students' spokesman said the institution suffers from acute shortage of water, insecurity and delay in issuance of results slips.

"Most projects that were to be completed last year have stalled completely. We fear that funds meant for the projects have been misappropriated,"said Letoya.

Attempts by acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Joseph Chacha to adress the students failed after they burst into anti-Serem songs. The students have called on Education Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi to intervene on the matter before learning resumes.

"We demand that the results for the interviews of Vice Chancellor that were recently conducted be made public to allay doubts that another candidate had emerged the winner," chanted the students.

However Ivor Kirong, the Secretary General of the student body defended Prof Serem from accusations. He blamed those demanding removal of Professor Serem of attempting to tribalise the running of the institution.

"Those accusing the Vice Chancellor of employing his community memebers to head various departments are misleading the public and are out tarnish Serem's name," said Kirong.

He said most appointments in the institution are done by the management. "The appointment of the Vice chancellor was done by competitive vetting and it is Serem who came top," said Kirong