Union: Dons taking sides in vice-chancellor’s row

University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Peter Mbithi during the launch of Kenya National Oral Health Survey Report at Serena Hotel on November 13, 2015. University of Nairobi lecturers have waded into a row pitting the vice-chancellor and his deputy Bernard Njoroge. PHOTO | ROBERT NGUGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Prof Mbithi and Prof Njoroge have been engaged in public spats since August over management of resources, with the institution’s monthly expenditure standing at Sh2.5 billion.

University of Nairobi lecturers have waded in to a row pitting Vice-Chancellor Peter Mbithi and his deputy Bernard Njoroge.

On Friday, University Academic Staff Union Deputy Treasurer Mohamed Mwachiti said the conflict had divided workers and led to poor services.

Mr Mwachiti said Education CS Jacob Kaimenyi could not be a trusted arbiter since he had been an employee of the university in the past.

“There is disillusionment by staff and it is characterised by mistrust, groupings, suspicion and fear. This has impacted terribly on services,” Mr Mwachiti said.

Prof Mbithi and Prof Njoroge have been engaged in public spats since August over management of resources, with the institution’s monthly expenditure standing at Sh2.5 billion.

The management has frozen employment to reduce the wage bill, which stands at Sh750 million per month.

Last month, Prof Kaimenyi formed a task force to investigate runaway expenditure at Kenya’s premier institution of higher learning.