Embattled Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) student leaders have every reason to smile after the University, on Monday, Dec. 15, reversed its earlier decision to expel them for alleged incitement among other charges.
In a letter signed by TUM VC, Prof Jesphat Mwatelah, the three will resume classes in January 2015, when the university reopens.
“Following the Council Committee meeting held on 3rd December, 2014, Min SC/3/12/2014/5, it was resolved that the suspension be uplifted and hence report for classes in January 2015,” read part of a letter addressed to Benmark.
On 24 October, TUM expelled Student Chairman Benmark Ng’ang’a, his deputy Nathan Nkonge Mutugi and Secretary General Kelvin Njimia Muchiri.
Late November, the university annulled the expulsion and gave Benmark and his vice a 2-year suspension while the Sec Gen was to miss one academic year.
Benmark Ng’ang’a
Speaking to Capital Campus after receiving the ‘freedom letter’, Benmark, who has missed a whole semester, was optimistic and happy with the decision.
He intimated that he might quit campus politics once Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) certifies TUM courses.
“You know politics is dynamic but I think by securing the victory as far as EBK issues are concerned, I can call it a day,” said Benmark.
At the center of the conflict, pitting TUM Administration and Student leaders is JKUAT, which has not yet issued certificates to 137 TUM engineering graduates since 27 June 2014, even after the affected students obtained a court order to allow them graduate.
During the recent graduation, 87 more TUM engineers graduated at JKUAT, after the High Court of Mombasa gave another order to compel JKUAT, the ‘mother’ of TUM, to confer them with engineering degrees.
According to the Court Ruling, affected Engineering students continued to undertake their Engineering studies as students of JKUAT even after the Mombasa Polytechnic University College became a fully-fledged University on 24th of January 2013.
