Education CS Ezekiel Machogu has ordered the Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) to reinstate suspended Vice Chancellor Romanus Odhiambo immediately.

Machogu issued a statement on Monday directing the university to reinstate Odhiambo no later than the close of business on Tuesday.

"The University Council is directed to facilitate Prof. Odhiambo's resumption of office as Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect," the statement read.

The CS also directed that normal operation at the institutions resume by Wednesday and the graduation ceremony slated for March 11, 2023, proceed as scheduled.

In the same statement, Machogu argued the student unrest, indefinite closure and subsequent suspension of the institution’s graduation ceremony stemmed from Odhiambo’s suspension.

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The CS opined the decision to suspend Odhiambo was ill-timed and the senate also fell short of its legal fidelity to the applicable law.

"The decision is ill-timed because it was made a few days to the scheduled graduation ceremony of 11th March, 2023, with the obvious consequence that it would undermine the preparations for the imminent event and destroy the hopes of graduands to transit into the world of work immediately," Machogu said.

"Regrettably, the Council fell short of its legal duty of fidelity to the applicable law."

The Meru University of Science and Technology, Tigania's main campus was closed indefinitely after students from the university protested the removal of their VC Odhiambo on Monday morning and engaged police officers from Ncheru Police in running battles.

The institution’s senate asked all Meru University students to leave the university premises immediately.