Chancellors to play part in VCs appointments

The Chancellors of Public Universities are set to have influence on the appointment of Vice Chancellors, this is part of the proposals made during the 2^nd Roundtable Discussion on Policies, regulations and standards for University Education in a Nairobi hotel on Thursday, September 29.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Dr Fred Matiang’i, said the Chancellors should chair process whereby prospective Vice Chancellors of Public Universities could be vetted as a condition for consideration for appointment.

“The Chancellors could chair forum where a section of members of the Senate of the respective University, student leadership and alumnae could interrogate shortlisted candidates for Vice Chancellors,” Dr Matiang’i noted.

He said this would ensure the appointing process of Vice Chancellors was more open, transparent and accountable.

Dr Matiang’i also challenged the Chancellors to develop conflict resolution mechanism to address internal conflicts facing their respective universities instead of having the Courts get involved in the conflicts.

He said politicization and ethninization of universities was undermining the capacities of the universities to establish and strengthen the infrastructure needed for provision of quality higher education.

Dr Matiang’i also asked the Chancellors to explore ways of building capacities for University managers on leadership and management with a view to improving their ability to provide effective leadership and management of higher education institutions.

Present during the occasion included the Chairman of the Commission for University Education (CUE), and its Chief Executive Officer, Prof David Some, among others.

This comes days after Uasin Gishu Governor, Jackson Mandago, his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart, Alex Tolgos, and a host of other leaders from the region recorded statements with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for pushing for removal of Prof Laban Ayiro who has been appointed Moi University Vice Chancellor in an acting capacity.

A day after recording a statement at DCI headquarters located along Kiambu Road in Nairobi, Governor Mandago made a defiant return to Eldoret saying that the appointment of the Moi University VC must follow merit.

He argued that Prof Isaac Koskei topped the interviews to replace Prof Richard Mibey who retired over a week ago upon the expiration of his ten-year tenure at the helm of the institution of higher learning.

Governors Mandago, Tolgos and MPs Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills) and Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) have accused Education Cabinet Secretary, Dr Fred Matiang’i, of favouritism in his appointment of the Vice Chancellor.