Maseno University closed, staff sent home over coronavirus pandemic

Maseno University Vice Chancellor Prof. Julius Nyabundi has directed all staff at the institution to work up to Friday 5pm and thereafter break until further notice in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Prof. Nyabundi, in a memo seen by Citizen Digital, said this was in accordance with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive for all institutions to close by March 20 to thwart the spread of Covid-19.

The institution boss however stated that a few essential services shall nevertheless still remain operational, namely: health services, security, Kisumu hotel, university farm and water/electricity services.

“Heads of Departments should ensure that staff with pending leave days take this opportunity to utilize their leave entitlement,” he stated.

“Those performing critical duties including all senior staff down to heads of departments will be deemed to be on duty. They are advised to maintain the contacts of their staff and be in a position to mobilize them for any exigency as may be necessary.”

Prof. Nyabundi also urged the staff to take the necessary precautionary measures as guided by the Ministry of Health to keep safe and protect Kenyans against escalation of the epidemic.”

Maseno University now joins other institutions, among them the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), which have since been shut down over the pandemic.