University Council, leaders to decide fate of Garissa University

The University Council and leaders from Garissa are set to hold consultations to decide the future of Garissa University, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

Speaking after meeting officials from the education sector in his office in Karen on Thursday, Ruto explained that a decision on whether to reopen the university would be reached after the consultations have been concluded.

Ruto urged leaders from North Eastern region to work together and solve the issues facing the region to ensure peaceful co-existence.

The deputy president highlighted the benefits of education, saying it is a means through which problems facing some parts of the country could be addressed.

“As we address the issues which have become the stumbling block to the development of the region, I ask leaders to encourage the locals to take advantage of the situation to invest in education,” said Ruto.

Ruto further revealed government’s plan to hire new teachers to fill the gap left by teachers who fled Northern Kenya due to insecurity.

“The ministry of Education in collaboration with schools Board of Governors (BOGs) will employ 800 teachers to fill the gap of those who left the area recently due to insecurity,” said Ruto.

“Those (teachers) to be employed comprising Untrained Teachers (UT’s) must report to their respective schools by 1st September, this year.”

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said the ministry was engaging leaders from Northern Kenya with a view to solving the problems facing the education sector in the region.

“We are working together to address the problem of understaffing caused by insecurity which forced teachers to flee the area recently,” said Kaimenyi.

Security in North Eastern

North Eastern leaders, led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale acknowledged the weightiness of the matter saying education is a clear channel to adopt in fighting radicalisation of youth into acts of violence.

The Garissa MP said security situation in the region has been normalised and wondered why teachers who fled the area were yet to return.

“There are other public servants working in the region and also members of the local community and we wonder why TSC teachers have kept off the region,” questioned Duale.

The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Education, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and leaders from Northern Kenya.

Among those present were Principal Secretaries Kipsang Bellio (Education), Colleta Suda (Science and Technology) and TSC chairperson Lydia Nzomo.