Moi University challenges order on law degrees
Moi University acting vice-chancellor Prof Laban Ayiro. The institution has challenged a decision by the Council of Legal Education to stop it from offering law degree programmes. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The institution is considering taking legal action as it may deem appropriate.
- In a public notice, Council of Legal Education chief executive Prof Kulundu Bitonye listed 10 institutions that he said will be allowed to teach law with the exception of Moi University.
- Prof Ayiro said the decision of the High Court is currently the subject of an Appeal filed by the Council of Legal Education.
Moi University has come out fighting over a decision by the Council of Legal Education to stop it from offering law degree programmes.
Acting Vice-chancellor Laban Ayiro said the institution is offering legal education that meets national, regional and global standards and produces graduates equipped with the necessary tools and skills to offer leadership, innovation and serve the public.
“The LL.B programme of the school is fully accredited by the Commission for University Education, the body vested with the powers of accreditation of university courses,” he said in a statement, adding that the council’s decision was illegal and in contravention of an order issued by the Court of Appeal.
The institution was considering taking legal action as it may deem appropriate, he said.
“Any of our graduates whose application is adversely decided by CLE based on the notices is advised to immediately get in touch with the University for further directions,” said Prof Ayiro.
POORLY EQUIPPED
In a public notice, CLE chief executive Prof Kulundu Bitonye listed 10 institutions that he said will be allowed to teach law with the exception of Moi University.
He did not give reasons for locking out the university but in 2015 the council had indicated that the institution was poorly equipped and did not have enough staff.
Last year on April 4, High Court Judge Justice George Odunga nullified the council’s order. He criticised the council for violating the law, saying its role was restricted to setting standards.
On Wednesday, Prof Ayiro said the decision of the High Court is currently the subject of an Appeal filed by the CLE .
“It should not be lost on the public that the court’s decision is also in agreement with a cabinet decision made last year that the council is illegally in office,” said Prof Ayiro
“ CLE’s notice is not only illegal as it flies in the face of the findings of the High Court but is also a mischievous attempt at subverting the judgment against which it has chosen to exercise its right of appeal,” he said.
