Moi warns varsities on tribal unions

Former President Daniel Moi has warned universities against allowing tribalism to influence their staffing. “I have heard that our universities are slowly evolving a culture of silently becoming ethnic configurations. I want to warn you on this matter as early as possible,” Mr Moi.

The Sunday Nation revealed a few months ago how public universities have sunk into tribalism in appointments to senior positions.

It reported how recent selection of principals to new colleges and campuses appeared to have been based on ethnic considerations, or regions where the institutions are located, rather than on merit.

Embrace variety

In addition to appointments, local universities also came under the spotlight for the manner in which students held their union elections, reflecting a tribal pattern.

Students have always retreated into tribal alliances during union elections, and that was evident in last Student Organisation of Nairobi University (Sonu) elections.

And on Tuesday, Mr Moi told students to “see beyond the confines of your villages” and embrace variety, even when they will be choosing their marriage partners.

The retired President, who spoke in Moi University during an international conference also praised the directive by the Ministry of Education halting the take over of polytechnics and other colleges by universities.

He said students who do not qualify for university admission need the institutions to enable them acquire various skills.