By Malachi Motano
Maseno University has officially taken over Odera Akong’o campus in Yala town, Siaya county which was previously a constituent of Moi University.
The handing over ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellors of the two institutions, Prof. Isaac Sanga Kosgey (Moi University) and Prof. Julius Omondi Nyabundi (Maseno) and was witnessed by Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha.
Speaking at the occasion, the CS warned managements of public universities against arbitrary reforms in their institutions without consulting relevant government bodies.
He noted that despite the fact that universities urgently require reforms to enable Kenyans get value for money, the same must be done in consultation with the government and not at the whims of individuals entrusted with the mandate of managing them.
He added that neither President Uhuru Kenyatta, nor him, as the CS-In-Charge of Education, had delegated the mandate of reforming the institutions of higher learning to the Chairmen of University Councils or the Vice Chancellors.
Referring to a recent decision by University of Nairobi to abolish some offices and faculties and increase school fees, the CS advised the universities management to always consult widely and act in the best interest of the children and future generations. The move by the said university has since been stopped.
“Universities belong to the government. They are state assets, not individual assets. As you reform, you must refer back to the law, it does not matter who you are,” said the CS, who was flanked by Gem Member of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo and Siaya Deputy Governor, Dr. James Okumbe.
Prof. Magoha also blasted Kenyan universities for wasting money through bloated non-academic staff, saying that the public institutions of higher learning must get their act right. He challenged the institutions to move towards the internationally acceptable standards of 70 per cent academic staff and 30 per cent non – academic.
“We are wasting money on human resource at the universities. It is the professor who defines the universities and their strength. Some of us have decided that it is the professor who must go first,” he said and wondered who the hundreds of supporting staff would be supporting after the professors have been shown the door through retrenchment.
The CS said he had been forced to go slow on public universities, after he realized that a “quiet” amendment to the Universities Act made the Cabinet Secretary a ceremonial head.
“When I was appointed, one of the tasks the President gave me was to transform universities to make them lean and efficient. I came with the normal gusto that I have to move up with speed. I later found out that the brick wall was due to a quiet amendment of the Universities Act which made the minister impotent,” he said, adding that this made him shift focus to early learning.
