Masinde Muliro seeks fresh start after years of wrangles

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology graduation ceremony. The institution has a new management that intends to promote quality services. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Prof Shibairo met union officials to address some of the grievances, including complaints about unfair sackings and demotions.
  • Dr Mutua said it is a new beginning at Mmust because the team under her leadership is committed to deliver on its mandate .

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Mmust) has navigated a difficult and unpredictable phase in the last 15 months due to a crisis triggered by management woes involving union officials.

This is evidenced by the fact that there are 49 cases filed in court revolving around the management of the university.

The university has been operating in what has been described as “autopilot mode”, with the key positions of vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellors being held in acting capacity following numerous litigations.

A tussle between the management and the union officials erupted at the institution as the term of the former vice-chancellor, the late Frederick Otieno, was coming to an end on November 30, 2018.

At the time, a faction supporting Prof Otieno and union officials who were opposed to his leadership were involved in tussles that sucked in the academic staff and students, disrupting operations.

The former council members, led by Chairman Jeremy Bundi, were accused of working with the union officials to undermine the running of the institution.

Last year, when Dr Jane Mutua replaced Dr Bundi as Mmust Council chairperson, the tussles spilt over into a meeting she was chairing.

A case was filed at the High Court challenging the Ministry of Education's choice.

NEW TEAM

Prof Joseph Bosire from Jaramogi University of Science and Technology was appointed as acting vice-chancellor as the Public Service Commission (PSC) kicked off the process of recruiting a new boss.

The process ran into headwinds after Prof Otieno moved to court to challenge the decision to exclude him from the interview after he had been shortlisted for the position.

Union officials are reported to have petitioned the PSC to exclude Prof Otieno, arguing that he needed to clear his name before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), following corruption related investigations.

Prof Bosire served in acting capacity for four months and the period was extended by an additional three months.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha then appointed Prof Asenath Sigot, who has served for the last nine months in an acting capacity.

Last week, Prof Magoha appointed Prof Solomon Shibairo as the new acting vice-chancellor while Dr Mutua is the council chairperson, as the CS put in place a new organ after the mandate of the previous one expired three weeks ago.

The latest appointments have somewhat brought a sigh of relief at the institution, as the academic staff, workers and students hope that the tussles will be a thing of the past.

COMPLAINTS ADDRESSED

Prof Shibairo has expressed confidence that it will not be an easy task for him to deal with the numerous issues that have nearly choked operations, but he says he is prepared for the task.

“I believe that when people spend their energy on what is not for the good of the university, they lose focus and end up generating a lot of negative energy.”

“I have an open-door policy and believe it’s good to promote fair administration of justice when handling matters that affect the institution,” he added.

One of the things Prof Shibairo has done is meet union officials to address some of the grievances, including complaints about unfair sackings and demotions.

University Education and Research Principal Secretary Simon Nabukwesi said numerous cases have interfered with the smooth running of the university.

“For a smooth running, let us withdraw unnecessary cases that have piled up in the courts,” he said.

Mr Nabukwesi said Prof Shibairo has the capacity to turn around the institution .

Dr Mutua said it is a new beginning at Mmust because the team under her leadership is committed to deliver on its mandate .