By Amoto Dennis Ndiewo
The directive by the Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof George Magoha ordering universities to reopen on 5th October may not be possible for 18 universities which do not have operational university councils.
The list include; Moi University, Egerton University, Pwani University, Technical University Mombasa, Technical University of Kenya, Kisii University, University of Eldoret, Laikipia University, University of Kabianga, Karatina University, Taita Taveta University, Southern Eastern University , Kibabii, University of Embu, The Cooperative University of Kenya, Muranga University, Kirinyaga University, Machakos University, Rongo University and Masaai Mara University.
The absence of such councils may derail their reopening. However, some of these universities do not have substantive Vice Chancellors and 14 vacancies lie in the office of Deputy Vice Chancellors in some public universities.
These councils are expected to work on dates for the resumption of physical learning as directed by the Education CS.
Appearing before the National Assembly Education Committee, Prof Magoha said in order prevent paralysis, government shall advertise the vacant positions in the universities councils which elapsed in March 2020.
He, however, blamed a court case for the delay in recruitment of vice chancellors. Labour and Relation Court stopped recruitment of substantive Vice Chancellor for Masinde Muliro University due to a petition filed by Okiya Omtata.
The position was left vacant by Prof Fredrick Otieno whose term was not renewed.
The activist argued that the recruitment exercise was marred by irregularities saying that the whole process was invalidated since the PSC included the institution’s council members in its interview panel.
Magoha told the committee that the university act ought to be amended to allow university’s council be involved in the recruitment process.
