Multimedia University’s Response to Students Strike Surprises Kenyans

Multimedia University’s management has committed to addressing concerns raised by students, that lead to a strike on Tuesday. 

After the unrest on Tuesday, a meeting was held between the University’s top leadership, including the Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Research & Innovation, and student representatives from the Multimedia University of Kenya Students Association (MUKSA).

Led by Vice Chancellor Festus Kaberia, the management noted concerns on missing marks that is causing anxiety for 4th-year students expected to graduate. 

“The University is informed of two lecturers who have intentionally delayed the release of students’ exam results. The University Management has reached out to the lecturers and has already resolved the case of the 4th Year students who shall now be processed to graduate on 27th October 2023,” said the statement addressed to the students association. 

Another issue that caused the students to take to the streets was delays in getting school IDs, hindering their access to campus.

“The University Management has initiated efforts to procure another suitable machine – after rejecting one that was delivered but found faulty. The new machine shall be operational by Monday, October 9, 2023University ID’s to all students in the waiting list within two weeks,” it stated.

The University also confronted the challenge of water shortage, attributed to a persistent dry spell and limited water supply from the Nairobi Water Company. 

To address this issue, the management committed to re-mapping the current water piping system to ensure equitable distribution and increasing external water purchases within two weeks.

Furthermore, the University recognized the surge in the number of first-year students in 2023, which strained available classroom seating. In response, the University pledged to procure 500 additional student seats within two weeks.

Issues related to poor Wi-Fi connectivity in certain areas, notably in Halls D and E, were acknowledged and will be resolved through cable replacements and gradual Wi-Fi upgrades to improve connectivity quality.

“This requires replacement of cables and the University shall fix the problem within a week. In addition, the University shall progressively invest in upgrading Wi-Fi to improve quality of connectivity in the Halls and its other facilities,” affirmed the Office of the Vice Chancellor.

Concerns about the condition of student halls, including missing sockets, lights, curtains, switches, and cleanliness during weekends, were also addressed. 

The institution committed to resolving these issues within two weeks, with joint inspections planned alongside student representatives to assess progress.

Moreover, an agreement has been reached regarding the presence of police within the University’s residential halls. Privacy considerations have led to a decision to restrict police access unless absolutely necessary, with enforcement entrusted to the MMU security officer.

The University’s leadership has also delegated the responsibility of disseminating the outcomes of the discussions and calling for an end to protests.

On Tuesday, October 3, learners took to the streets to voice their grievances, which included issues with missing marks and various campus-related challenges.

Footage shared on social media captured scenes of students setting tyres on fire and attempting to escape the turmoil by scaling fences. 

The protests disrupted traffic on Magadi Road and led motorists to seek alternative routes through Gatanga Road.