CS Magoha meets new UoN VC as Mbithi hands over
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha who held a closed-door meeting with University of Nairobi Vice-chancellor Isaac Mbeche on July 5, 2019. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
The university council has replaced Prof Mbithi with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Isaac Mbeche as a signatory for all its financial transactions.
Prof Mbithi was directed to hand over to Prof Mbeche, whom the Nation has learned will hold the position in acting capacity.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha on Friday held a closed-door meeting with the newly appointed University of Nairobi Vice-chancellor Isaac Mbeche.
Prof Mbeche replaced Prof Peter Mbithi early this week after serving for four years. Prof Mbeche was appointed by the university council in an acting capacity
CONFLICT
He has been serving as the university’s deputy vice-chancellor in charge of finance, planning and development.
The meeting with the CS is believed to have been key to resolving the conflict in the university and to give a way forward on the concerns raised by staff.
The university council, in a letter signed by the chair Julia Ojiambo, addressed to financial institutions directed that Prof Mbeche to be the mandatory signatory to all bank accounts for the university effective June 28.
On his part, Prof Mbithi was directed to proceed on a terminal leave on July 6. Last month, Prof Mbithi said he is ready for re-appointment to the position.
ALLEGATIONS
The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) accused the VC of corruption, abuse of office and incompetence.
They also accused the VC of buying furniture and equipment of his office worth Sh20 million without following procurement rules.
Uasu official George Omondi said the university under the leadership of Prof Mbithi had failed to pay workers their outstanding arrears and was not making remittances to Kenya Revenue Authority.
However, Prof Mbithi has since denied the allegations saying the allegations were malicious.
