Varsity council picks Mbithi for VC’s post

The University of Nairobi council has placed Prof Peter Mbithi top among candidates interviewed to succeed Prof George Magoha as vice-chancellor.
In a report the council presented to Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi on Tuesday, Prof Agnes Mwang’ombe is ranked second while Prof Isaac Mbeche and Prof Lucy Irungu are third and fourth respectively.
Council chairman Idle Farah asked the university community to give the minister time to make the appointment. This followed concerns from both the students and the teaching staff that Prof Kaimenyi preferred a candidate who did not rank highest in the interviews.
The minister worked with all the top candidates at the university before his appointment to the Cabinet last year.
“It is premature to make such conclusions. I kindly ask the university community to remain calm,” he said.
Dr Farah’s remarks followed press briefings by students and lecturers’ unions when they accused the minister of interfering with the process.
“The university needs a qualified vice-chancellor. We are warning against any attempts to politicise the appointment,” Academic Staff Union chairman Samuel Nyandemo said.
PARALYSE ACTIVITIES
“We dare the Cabinet Secretary to appoint an unqualified candidate. We will paralyse all activities at the university,” he warned.
However, Prof Kaimenyi, who spoke at the university, denied the accusations.

“I received the information this morning and I have to study the report before making the appointment. No one will tell me how to go about it. I will consult the government as I am empowered to do so by the Constitution,” he said.