Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino led Kenyans to condemn the cancellation of the exams of 65 students who sat for exams at Kibabii University with a fee balance.
In a statement dated Tuesday January 17 circulating online, the affected students will be forced to apply for special examinations in the said courses.
However the legislator was irked by the university's decision to extend the stay of students at the institution.
"The roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet. If the University of Nairobi can not do this why is Kibabii University destroying the lives of comrades?," he questioned.
He added that nobody should be punished for lacking school fees noting that education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.
Furthermore, comedian, Francis Munyao alias MCA Tricky was shocked by the punishment implemented by the university.
"I am shocked there is such a policy in a Kenyan university. Yes, the exams can be null and void but not the 'punishment' part!!" he exclaimed.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the institution confirmed that the Office of the Registrar (Academic Affairs) released the memo.
"Senate in its 7th Senate Board of Examiners meeting held on January 11, 2023, declared the said examinations Null and Void and directed that the affected students pay the fees balances and apply to sit for the special examination in the said courses when next offered," read part of the internal memo.
Consequently, many called for a motion to be introduced in parliament to prevent the same from occurring in other learning institutions.
Some Kenyans were angered by the rush decision by the university's Senate to cancel the exams noting it was inhumane.
"This is unacceptable, how is sitting for an exam without completing fee balance termed as an irregularity? The Education Cabinet Secretary should revisit this," one suggested.
"If comrades can not pay their fees, how will the university run its activities?" another countered.
On matters of education funding, President William Ruto while ushering in 2023, announced plans to abolish the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and introduce the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) funding.
On November 7, 2022, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu retracted his words that the government would cease to fund public universities.
He announced that only universities that have met the government's regulations will access funding.
"To our universities, be assured that the government will continue to fund our universities but we ask you to also look for other ways to generate income," Machogu advised.
