Moi University law students in limbo after closure of school

Students of Moi University, School of Law have been left in limbo after the Council for Legal Education (CLE) ordered the closure of the school for flouting set regulations.

In an announcement made early this week, CLE called for the closure of the school over apparent failure to meet set standards.

“It is particularly significant that the institution scored poorly on curriculum and modes of delivery academic staff and staff qualifications, infrastructure and resources and library and library resources, inspection criteria in which the institution must score at least 50% to qualify for full accreditation,” read the statement in part.

“For the time being, the facilities and resources at Moi University, School of Law do not meet the required threshold for full accreditation under section 19 (1) of the legal education act and inspection guidelines.”

The council ordered Moi University to put in place a plan for either teaching out current students or transferring them to licensed institutions, further calling on the university to devise a management plan for its academic staff.

“Moi University’s School of Law is hereby required to submit a closure plan within the next two months for consideration by council,” stated CLE.

“Should the institution be desirous of becoming a legal education provider under section 18 (1) and (2) of the Legal Education Act, no. 27 of 2012 in the future, it may submit a fresh application for consideration by council.”

Evelyn Mwangi, a second year student in the School of Law revealed that her dreams to be a lawyer are uncertain following the closure of the school.

“We are shocked with the information in the media. Our school Dean said everything is being handled yet we don’t know what lies ahead,” she said.

John Kiptoo, another student said: “We are a discouraged lot, I wonder why all this had to come at this time.”

After news aired on Citizen TV questioning the fate of the students, Dean of the Faculty of Law Henry Lugulu maintained that the institution has the capacity to offer legal training.

“We are in discussion with the Council and other agencies. We are handling the situation,” he said.

Last year, the school was closed indefinitely after students went on rampage for not being taught for close to a month.  Lecturers had also gone on strike earlier over salary arrears.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called on Moi University to appeal CLE’s decision to close the school.

North Rift branch officials led by Chairperson Zephania Yego termed the decision as dubious insisting that the institution has constantly portrayed high standards of professional conduct and does not warrant closure.

“There is no basis for suggesting that the facilities and resources at Moi University, School of Law do not meet the required threshold for full accreditation,” he said.

He also challenged the institution to appeal the decision in order to safeguard the interests of students whose fate is currently at stake.

Yego questioned why Moi University was not given an opportunity to be heard before the order for closure.