Kaimenyi defies pressure to replace University of Eldoret VC

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi addresses stakeholders at a meeting at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in Nairobi on May 25, 2015. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU |

What you need to know:

  • The vice chancellor is facing resistance from a section of the community that allegedly wants the institution to be headed by “one of their own.”
  • The University Council chairman, Prof Sarone Ole Sena, who appeared before the committee alongside Prof Akenga, said the university had to be temporarily closed as the power struggles played out.
  • Prof Ole Sena disclosed that the council has requested the Kenya National Audit office to undertake independent investigations on alleged procurement malpractices at the University.

The government will not bow to pressure and replace University of Eldoret Vice-Chancellor Teresa Akenga on the basis of her tribe, Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has said.

The Cabinet secretary said fighting public officers posted to public institutions on the basis of their ethnic identity was setting a bad precedent.

“We can’t convert universities to be tribal. (The) universality of universities must be maintained lest we balkanise the country,” Prof Kaimenyi told the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Daniel Karaba (Kirinyaga, TNA).

The vice-chancellor is facing resistance from a section of the community that allegedly wants the institution to be headed by “one of their own.”

Prof Kaimenyi said Prof Akenga was appointed on merit and those who were eyeing the position but were unsuccessful should give her ample time to execute her mandate.

“We should allow others to run the institutions of higher learning. We can’t allow resistance. I instructed them to be firm and move on. She is there on merit. After all, they didn’t even qualify,” Prof Kaimenyi asserted.
POWER STRUGGLES
The University Council's chairman, Prof Sarone ole Sena, who appeared before the committee alongside Prof Akenga, said the university had to be temporarily closed as the power struggles played out.

“It’s unfortunate that local leaders had ganged up with some youths to frustrate the vice-chancellor. They want to own and localise the university. Imagine, if all counties were to claim a university in their area,” Prof Sena posed.

Uasin Gishu Senator Paul Melly recently led a demonstration at the university to try eject Prof Akenga on allegations of corruption and nepotism, prompting the indefinite closure of the institution.

Prof Akenga has maintained that the staff are hired according to the university's recruitment policy and that most of them are from the Rift Valley region, contrary to the position taken by her opponents.

Prof Sena, however, said the council has made significant steps in reconciling the warring groups to ensure that service delivery is not disrupted.

“We have explained how the vice-chancellor was selected to the leaders. We have told the community that this is a public university and not a community college,” Prof Sena said.

CORRUPTION LOOPHOLES
The council chairman further said they had initiated appropriate measures to seal corruption loopholes after cases of financial irregularities were detected.

“The council has summoned those who plotted to irregularly withdraw funds without the vice chancellor’s consent, yet it was clear that withdrawals beyond a certain limit cannot be done without her involvement,” he said.

Prof Sena disclosed that the council has requested the Kenya National Audit office to undertake independent investigations on alleged procurement malpractices at the University.

He further said the university had come up with an electronic system to enhance quality in its examinations department.

This follows concerns that some 163 students had their results cancelled after some staff members colluded with the students to alter their marks.

“The system would help catch up with those who change marks. There is resistance but, we are not looking back,” he said.

Mr Karaba said the committee would prepare a report on the matter and table in the House to chart the best way forward.