Moi University shortlists eight candidates for VC interviews

Moi University has begun the process to recruit a new substantive vice chancellor after eight candidates for the position were shortlisted.

Among those shortlisted for the position is Prof Laban Ayiro, who has been the acting VC since September last year. Interviews have been scheduled for Monday.

SHORTLIST

Other candidates are Prof Isaac Kosgei, Prof J Chacha, Prof Ann Nangulu, Prof Samuel Gudu, Prof Joseph Rotich, Prof Maurice Amutabi and Prof Isaac Kibwage.

“The following individuals are invited for the interview at Moi University, Main Campus in Kesses on Monday, November, 27, 2017,” reads an advert by Dr Jeremiah Ntoloi Koshal, the varsity council chairperson.

The process to recruit a new vice chancellor has been slow. In September, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i extended Prof Ayiro’s contract for another six months for the third time.

“Further to my letter dated 9th December, 2016, I write to extend your appointment as the acting Vice-Chancellor, Moi University for a period of six months. This appointment automatically terminates on the appointment of the substantive Vice-Chancellor should that happen inside the period of the six (6) months,” reads the letter signed by CS Matiang’i dated September 12, 2017.

CONTRACT

On December 9, 2016 Prof Ayiro’s contract was extended for three months and subsequently added another six months in March this year.

Prof Ayiro, a one-time director of quality assurance at the institution, was appointed to the position last September following the expiry of Prof Richard Mibey’s term. He was first appointed to act for three months.

However, his appointment sparked uproar with two governors and some MPs from the region storming the university in protest.

PROTESTS

According to the politicians, the Education ministry had overlooked three finalists for the job to pick the soft-spoken Prof Ayiro who did not apply for the post.

The leaders claimed then that Prof Isaac Kosgei should have been given the position since he had topped during that interview. Prof Kosgei has also been shortlisted for the post.

“When he went for the interview at Egerton University, he emerged number two and when he came to Moi University, he was number one. We are saying there will be no graduation without Prof Kosgei,” they said.

The leaders demanded that the results of the VC interviews be made public.

VIBRANT

Since taking the reins of the institution of higher learning, Prof Ayiro has been praised by many for turning around the fortunes of the ailing but once vibrant university.

Last month, the institution announced plans to shut down some of the campuses based in Eldoret Town, including Kips and Kiptagich Plaza, in a move aimed at cutting down on costs.

Last year, the institution closed Kericho and Nakuru campuses to comply with a government directive.

RESOURCES

Prof Ayiro has been keen to consolidate university resources and boost quality of education at the institution.

“We must make tough decisions on how big the university should be. If we decide to concentrate on just four or five campus — Annex, Main Campus, Nairobi campus, Kitale — what you see in Kenyatta or other universities will be achieved not in 10 years but the next three years,” said Prof Ayiro during his first address to the university.

Last year, the public university was rocked by claims of poor management by the previous administration, which saw three top managers suspended over financial mismanagement.