Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said that institutions of higher learning should be let to operate independently without being harassed.
Gachagua spoke Friday during the 52nd graduation ceremony where more than 5500 graduates were conferred and awarded various degrees, diplomas and certificates.
Gachagua used the opportunity to speak about the suspension and harassment of Kenyatta University VC Paul Wainaina over the land.
Prof Wainaina was hounded out of office on August 15 following a series of developments that stemmed from disputed ownership of a parcel of land adjacent to Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital.
He said the due process could have been followed.
"Prof Wainaina did nothing wrong. He was only refusing impunity. He wanted the Constitution to be followed. You cannot take university land without following due process," Gachagua said.
He said that the government, Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Education and community representatives will hold meetings in January to resolve the issue.
Gachagua said the land should be rightly shared with the Kamae community where the rest will remain with the University management.
The woes started when Prof Wainaina was told to surrender nearly half of Kenyatta University's land to the state.
Gachagua said Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital should be used by medical students to enhance their skills.
Prof Wainaina said that Kenyatta University will continue impacting the education sector through research and technology.
He said the university is headed on the right direction and the University council is working in unity to ensure the realisation of the University objective.
"We will continue in impacting lives by equiping our students with requisite skills needed in the job market," Wainaina said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the government is ready to support institutions of higher learning.
He said that the education system is on course.
The CS urged universities to invest in research and technology.
President William Ruto on Thursday hinted at changing the funding model for public universities, which will see the cash-strapped institutions admit students only based on the government’s ability to support them rather than their performance in the KCSE examinations.
Academic staff from various universities a few months ago requested the government to increase funding and save the ailing institutions.
