George Magoha meets new UoN boss to steady ship

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha on Friday held a closed-door meeting with newly- appointed University of Nairobi acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Mbeche.

Prof Mbeche took over from Prof Peter Mbithi whose bid for a second term was rejected by the university council.

Prof Mbithi served for four years, having succeeded Prof Magoha upon his retirement.

STEADY SHIP

The meeting with the Education CS is believed to have been key to resolving conflict that has plagued the university top leadership and settle issues raised by staff.

Prof Mbeche has been serving as the university’s deputy vice chancellor in charge of finance, planning and development.

The university council, in a letter signed by the chairperson Prof Julia Ojiambo and addressed to financial institutions, directed that Prof Mbeche to be the signatory to all banking facilities 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 to be re-appointed to his position for a second term citing an impressive performance.

MBITHI'S WOES

But the university council sent him on compulsory leave pending investigations levelled against him by the University Staff Academic Union (Uasu).

Uasu demanded Prof Mbithi resigns or be forced out of office, citing abuse of office, incompetence and running down of the university.

The union accused him of using Sh20 million to equip his office at a time the university was financially strained.

But Prof Mbithi denied all the allegations levelled against, counter-accusing his critics of malice and exaggerating the university’s financial status.