Mandago makes defiant return to Eldoret after varsity demos

Uasin Gishu Governor, Jackson Mandago, has made a defiant return to Eldoret, a day after Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers interrogated him over his opposition to Moi University Vice Chancellor appointment.

Cheering crowds lined up the street of Eldoret town to welcome Mandago who had been ordered to record a statement over his demands that a Kalenjin must be appointed the next Vice Chancellor.

“Nataka kuaambia wananchi asante kwa kusimama na sisi kwa sababu sisi ni viongozi ambao hatuna ukabila vile imeroptiwa,” stated Mandago. ( I want to tell my supporters thank you for standing with us because we are leaders who do not entertain tribalism as it has been reported).

Seemingly buoyed by his supporters, an unapologetic Mandago stuck to his demands that a local, Prof. Isaac Koskei, who reportedly topped the interviews to succeed Prof Richard Mibey, must be appointed the Vice Chancellor at the Moi University.

Mandago also took a swipe at Interior Cabinet Secretary, Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery, who ordered him and two other leaders to record statements.

“Hata kama Nkaissery alitoka CORD, ajue hapa kuna wenyeji, akuje pole pole. Watu wafuate vile katiba inasema, na katiba inasema you should not discriminate (Even though Nkaissery left CORD, he should know that Eldoret has its natives and he should trend carefully. Everybody should follow the Constitution and discrimination should not be allowed),” stated Mandago.

Mandago, his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart, Alex Tolgos, and MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills) have led a vocal opposition at the appointment of Prof Laban Ayiro as the acting Vice Chancellor for the Eldoret-based University.

Assurances by Education CS, Dr Fred Matiang’i, who is the appointing authority, that the recruitment of a substantive Vice Chancellor was on-going and that Prof Ayiro appointment was on 3-month caretaker basis has failed to soften their resistance.

“You can’t run away from your responsibility of appointing the VC of Moi, you must appoint on merit,” said Mandago.

Other leaders including MP Alfred Keter are yet to record statements with the DCI.