Varsity holds fete as stand-off on VC lingers

Moi University Chancellor Miriam Were confers a PhD degree to Joseph Kipsaina during the institute's 32rd graduation on September 22, 2016. While presiding over the first session of the two-day ceremony, Chancellor Were urged the graduands to uphold nationalism. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen also asked Dr Matiang’i to make public the results of those shortlisted for the VC job.
  • Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Emurrua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno termed the incident an embarrassing and said appointments to public positions should be done purely on merit.

Moi University’s graduation ceremony went on successfully Thursday despite threats by some political leaders to paralyse the event in a bid to have Prof Isaac Kosgei appointed vice-chancellor.

A contingent of police officers kept vigil within and outside the university to guard the event that was boycotted by Kalenjin leaders, who have protested against the appointment of Prof Laban Ayiro as acting VC following the retirement of Prof Richard Mibey.

While presiding over the first session of the two-day ceremony, Chancellor Miriam Were urged the graduates to uphold nationalism.

Noting that the university was named after the country’s second President Daniel arap Moi, the chancellor asked both the national and regional governments to support and not undermine the institution.

“We ask both the national and regional governments to engage residents of Moi University to enhance its greatness and respect that it has in the country and globally,” said Prof Were.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, who led a group of leaders in storming the institution on Tuesday to protest the appointment of Prof Ayiro, yesterday remained defiant.

He accused Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i of failing to appoint a substantive vice chancellor, resulting in a “management crisis”.

“We have problems at Moi University. Today we have an acting VC and two acting DVCs and other 10 senior officials are on suspension. The council, through interviews decided Prof Kosgei was number one. We want the ministry to appoint him since he topped the interview,” he said.

Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen also asked Dr Matiang’i to make public the results of those shortlisted for the VC job.

But the University academic Staff Union (Uasu) asked the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to intervene and push for dialogue between political leaders, the university and the ministry.

“We invite the leaders to work for the good of the university. The Kaparo-led commission should come and lead integration,” Mr Jack Willis Abok, Uasu’s Moi University Chapter secretary said at a press conference.

Mr Michael Kahiti, the Ministry of Education’s chief economist represented Dr Matiang’i at the event.

“I commend the University Council and management for the good work done. I urge all stakeholders to work with zeal to ensure that the university is firmly positioned as a leading academic institution,” he said.

Meanwhile, more leaders yesterday criticised the move by Mr Mandago, his Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos and other MPs to storm the institution.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Emurrua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno termed the incident an embarrassing and said appointments to public positions should be done purely on merit.

Additional reporting by Geoffrey Rono