This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
The University of Nairobi has pushed back its reopening date in response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Kenya, where three staff members have lost their lives to the virus.
According to the institution's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, the reopening, initially scheduled for September 2020, has been postponed due to concerns over the safety of students and staff.
Prof. Kiama noted that the number of coronavirus infections in Kenya is expected to peak in November, making it impossible to reopen the university in September.
"We have issued our advisory that September 2020 reopening will be impossible as we expect cases to peak in November. We shall not take risks," Prof. Kiama stated on Wednesday, July 15.
The Education Ministry has directed universities to submit their strategies for reopening, along with measures to contain the spread of the virus.
Chuka University was recently cleared by the Education Principal Secretary, Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi, to reopen, with postgraduate students in their final year allowed to resume classes by the end of July.
