Prof Kiama's vision for UoN -- and his recruitment drama
What you need to know:
Our universities are grappling with many problems many of which are to do with finances, tribalism, duplication of courses and examination irregularities.
The first priority should be to streamline governance. Once we have the right people managing our universities, we will have solved more than half of our problems.
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest contribution to the University of Nairobi and the scholarly world in general?
A: I have mentored and supervised many doctorate students many of whom are lecturers in this and other universities. I also helped set up the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environment studies from a mere concept to an institute that is globally recognised. I have also published heavily in my field of structural biology and done lot of work with students on governance and electoral politics on the campus.
What will be your priority at the University of Nairobi as VC?
I really want to encourage my fellow academicians to express themselves freely and fearlessly and contribute to national debate on topical issues such as the locust invasion or the coronavirus problem. Universities should not be seen as a place where degrees are fetched. Lecturers must be in sync with the pulse of the nation and they should actively work to resolve societal problems.
I also want to make the university have an international touch by actively working to encourage foreign lecturers to take up teaching jobs and foreign students to get enrolled in our various programmes. That will open up the university to new ideas and make it globalised. I will also concentrate on streamlining our finances and degree programmes to ensure money is spent prudently.
What ails Kenya’s universities?
Our universities are grappling with many problems many of which are to do with finances, tribalism, duplication of courses and examination irregularities. We need to reflect and support Prof Magoha’s efforts to put the institutions on the right track. Universities are created to help solve societal problems but, if they are hobbled by their own challenges, then we have a big problem. The first priority should be to streamline governance. Once we have the right people managing our universities, we will have solved more than half of our problems.
Funding is the most serious problem facing our universities. What’s the way forward?
The whole system needs to be rethought and reworked. The Universities Funding Board uses the unit differentiated cost system but it only funds programmes up to about 60 per cent. Where should the rest come from? We must quickly re-examine the Module II programmes, bursaries, income-generating projects and the Higher Education Loans Board. Then let’s rethink our degree programmes to see which require more resources, which require fewer, and which should be discarded altogether.
What do you consider your greatest strength?
I’m a stickler for rules and just processes. I’m a good listener and I believe in expressing myself freely and without fear. I expect the same of everyone else. In fact I want to encourage my colleagues in this institution and elsewhere to be candid and express their thoughts freely and clearly.
UoN VC recruitment drama
December 18 — Public Service Commission (PSC) conducts interviews for University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor with eight candidates participating.
December 30, 2019 — PSC hands over interview results to University Council chaired by Prof Julia Ojiambo and which ranked Prof Stephen Kiama Gitahi as the best with 80.44 marks, Prof Madara Ogot had 79.31 and Prof Patricia Mbote had 78.44 while then acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Mbeche had 77.94.
January 3 — Prof Ojiambo-led council meets Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha to brief him on choice of Prof Kiama as VC-designate but Prof Magoha asks for time to consult.
January 5 — Prof Stephen Kiama is appointed the 8th Vice-Chancellor of University of Nairobi by the University Council.
January 17 -- Prof Magoha revokes the appointment of Prof Kiama and dissolves the council a few days to inauguration of Prof Kiama as VC.
January 18 — Prof Kiama vows to fight on, dismisses the revocation by Prof Magoha as illegal.
January 18 -- Prof Magoha writes to EACC asking it to probe PSC and Council over recruitment claiming that there were some integrity issues.
January 20 — Prof Kiama moves to Labour Court to contest Prof Magoha’s decision. Labour Court reinstates him as VC pending the hearing and determination of the case.
January 21 — Installation of Prof Kiama as VC is put off following a circular by Prof Magot (DVC).
January 21 — PSC dismisses Prof Magoha’s claims, says the exercise was above board.
January 23 -- Prof Magoha also moves to court to challenge the reinstatement of Prof Kiama as VC.
January 31 — Prof Magoha asks for 30 days to resolve the matter out of court.
February 27 — Prof Magoha withdraws the revocation letter and signs consent before Labour Court Judge Maureen Onyango, recognises Prof Kiama as the VC, with installation set for this month.
Compiled by Ouma Wanzala
