NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 13 – Students leaders at Daystar University have now described the closure of the institution as a diversionary tactic aimed at taking away attention from the main issues.
In a statement, the Joint Student Leadership said that one of the main issues of contention include the release of a forensic audit report to key stakeholders.
“We note that the report was carried out in order to substantiate the charges brought to the council by the student body,” they said.
They went ahead to enumerate the other issues of concern which include mismanagement and gross negligence.
“The charges were mismanagement of the University, fraudulent decision making, abuse of office of the then Vice Chancellor and negligence.”
They also want action taken on its recommendations after the report was released to faculty staff and students.
Acting Vice Chancellor at the institution James Kombo on Thursday said the closure of the institution was inevitable to allow for a solution for the current unrest.
“It was very clear to the Senate that under the circumstances the University was operating in that drastic action be taken. This was going to be nothing else but that the institution be closed,” he stated.
The University was closed indefinitely after student unrest seeking the resignation of Vice Chancellor Timothy Wachira over alleged mismanagement.
The University’s Senate directed students at the Nairobi and Athi River campuses to vacate by noon Thursday.
According to Kombo who is also the Senate Chairman, international students residing at the Athi River campus have also been instructed to vacate and report to a designated desk in Nairobi by 2pm.
Police Wednesday night lobbed tear gas to quell unrest by some students at the Nairobi Campus while they protesting a failed meeting that was to take place between the Senate and the student leadership to discuss an audit report on financial management.
This angered the students who sought an explanation on the matter.
Police were called into the campus with orders to evict the students and some parents who were causing a standoff.
There has been increasing unrest at the institution after students demanded the resignation of Vice Chancellor Wachira.