Leadership wrangles hit Masinde Muliro University
Lecturers and staff of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega during a past strike. FILE PHOTO |
What you need to know:
- Vice-chancellor fights off accusations of mismanagement.
- Lecturers take sides in dispute as top Masinde Muliro university managers exchange bitter emails over the running of the institution.
Some lecturers at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega are accusing the management of running it down.
The lecturers are worried about the conflict between the Vice-Chancellor Fred Otieno and one of his deputies, Prof Josephine Ngaira who is in charge Academic and Students Affairs.
The two have been exchanging bitter emails in which Prof Otieno accuses his deputy of insubordination. The staff has taken sides in the conflict.
University Council Chairman David Nyamwaya has tried and failed to reconcile the two.
In a memorandum, the lecturers are accusing Prof Otieno of poor leadership.
NEARLY 50 HAVE QUIT
The document alleges that nearly 50 teaching and non-teaching staff had quit after being caught up in the row.
“Self-sponsored student enrolment has also dropped from an average of 2,500 a year to 500 in the 2014/15 academic year, which, we fear, will cripple the institution financially,” claims the memorandum.
The lecturers have called on the Ministry of Education to save the university from collapse.
Prof Otieno has dismissed the accusations of mismanaging the university.
The lecturers’ memorandum cites two studies, which allegedly reveal the staff is dissatisfied with the leadership.
A 2014 study by Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research and Communication Prof Egara Kabaji shows that all teaching and non-teaching staff are either highly dissatisfied or only fairly satisfied.
The staff are unhappy with the identification of talent and innovation, security of property, medical services and office equipment. They are equally discontent with staff promotions.
Another survey by an independent consultant, Afrique Consult, carried out between July 28 and August 1, 2014, revealed that employees were unhappy with the work environment and customer services.
The study warned that unless measures are taken, the university may suffer a high turnover of staff and students.
