Kaparo condemns storming of Moi University by politicians over 'outsider' VC

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Tuesday condemned the protest by North Rift leaders over the appointment of an acting vice-chancellor.

NCIC chairman Francis ole Kaparo said the leaders’ actions depict a serious problem in the country where public institutions have been ethnicised.
Two governors - Jackson Mandago, (Uasin Gishu) and Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet) led MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Silas Tiren (Moiben), James Bett (Kesses) and Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker Isaac Terer in storming the Moi University main campus to protest the appointment of the ‘outsider as acting Vice Chancellor’.

Education Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’i appointed Professor Laban Ayiro as the acting vice-chancellor of Moi University, a move said to have angered the leaders who wanted Professor Isaac Kosgey, whom they said had topped the recruitment interviews, to be appointed as Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Prof Ayiro, ho is the current acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of planning, was appointed to replace Prof Richard Mibey whose term ended on Monday, September 19.

Mr Kaparo, while criticising the move by the leaders, said there was a serious tribalism problem, which had to be addressed as fast as possible, in learning institutions.

Mr Kaparo said every Kenyan had a right to work and live in any part of the country as stipulated in the Constitution.

The commission is investigating the actions by the leaders and we will recommend disciplinary action against them, should they be found to have contravened the provisions of the NCIC Act,” Mr Kaparo said.

APPOINTMENT UPHELD

He said he had held talks with education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i who assured him that Prof Ayiro's appointment would be upheld despite the protests by the leaders.

“It is stunning, abhorrent and disgusting to see such leaders who should be on the forefront in upholding the Constitution, stoop that low,” Mr Kaparo said.

He said the contention by the leaders would not stop the institution's graduation ceremony set for September 23, 2016.

The protesting leaders had threatened to stop the graduation by mobilising Eldoret residents to cut down trees and block roads leading to Moi University.

“Our public Universities are not ethnic and it doesn’t matter where they are located. Any Kenyan has a right to study and work in any university,” Mr Kaparo said.

Last month, the NCIC chairman presented a report on ethnicisation of public institutions to Vice Chancellors, and chairmen of councils.

The report which was compiled after a series of scientific research showed that over 80 per cent of public institutions had breached the law on appointments.

“The law clearly states that no single ethnic group should occupy more than 30 per cent of all the employment slots in any public institution but this rule had only been observed by a few institutions,” Mr Kaparo said, adding that the commission had recommended a fresh recruitment of staff in institutions.

According to a letter addressed to the university council chairman, Prof Ayiro is set to act for a period of three months until a substantive Vice Chancellor is appointed. The council had submitted three names among them, that of Prof Daniel Tarus and Prof Isaac Kimengi to the CS for consideration for appointment as acting Vice Chancellor.