The University Council of Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) has renewed the contract of the Vice Chancellor to serve for another five years.
Romanus Odhiambo will serve the university in the same capacity for a second term owing to his outstanding performance.
The University Council released a statement on Monday, August 7, announcing the renewal of Prof Odhiambo’s tenure, citing his remarkable leadership skills during his first term.
“After an exemplary first term marked by remarkable achievements and transformative initiatives, Prof. Romanus Odhiambo’s tenure has been renewed,
“As we embark on this new chapter, the Meru University of Science and Technology community expresses its heartfelt congratulations to Prof Romanus Odhiambo and looks forward to witnessing the continued growth and positive impact of the university under his visionary leadership,” reads the statement in part.
Prof Odhiambo assumed the position in July 2018, having been appointed by the former Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Amina Mohamed after the exit of embattled Prof Japhet Magambo.
In March this year, the former university council declined to renew Prof Odhiambo’s contract citing underwhelming performance.
The former Council’s chair Prof Bosire Mwebi noted that Prof. Odhambo’s performance had been evaluated and found to be below expectations, prompting the decline to renew his contract as he had requested.
Prof Odhiambo contested the decision to terminate his contract prematurely, before its July 2023 expiry, saying it was politically motivated.
He argued, “When I joined the university, there were about 4,500 students but the number has grown by over 100 percent to 11, 000.
I ended the endemic student strikes that had paralyzed the university.
We are finalising several infrastructure projects that were stalled due to court cases.
“When I requested the renewal of my term, I gave the council all this information but they said I underperformed. It’s all politics. I suspect the council has been infiltrated by politicians,” the VC claimed.
Prof Odhiambo added, “If my performance at the Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) for four years is below expectation, then as a Professor of Statistics, I invite you back to my class.”
In a quick rejoinder, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu called for immediate facilitation to reinstatement of Prof. Odhiambo as the Vice Chancellor.
By John Majau
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