MMUST University Council on spot as DVC recruitment hits a snag

The recruitment of the deputy vice-chancellor for Finance and Administration at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has hit a snag.

This after three organisations moved to court to have the process stopped over claims that it was marred by irregularities.

The position fell vacant after Joseph Rotich was appointed the vice-chancellor of Laikipia University in May. Prof Rotich had held the DVC post since January 2014.

The University Council, under the chairmanship of Jeremy Bundi, advertised the vacant position in the local dailies on August 3 this year, attracting 24 candidates.

Of the 24, only five applicants have been shortlisted for interviews on November 9. They are  professors Maurice Amutabi, Alfred Muyabi, Mike Iravo, Daniel Rotich and Genevieve Mwayuli.

“Under the Fair and Administrative Action Act 2015 and Mmust (the university) statutes, we want the council to give clarification on the procedure used to shortlist the five applicants out of the 24 for interviews, scores for all the 24 candidates and their eligibility to hold the position they applied for,” said Okiya Omtatah, one of the petitioners from Kenyans for Justice and Development.

Five senior lecturers from Mmust also applied for the position but none was shortlisted, leading another petitioner, Tom Shivachi from Weco Founders and Stakeholders Association, to question the hiring process.

“We represent the Weco community that looked for money, including taxing residents of western Kenya, to put up the university. We cannot allow the council to install their cronies who will embezzle institution’s funds in favour of some council members,” said Mr Shivachi.

The Mmust applicants are professors Stephen Odebero, Thomas Sakwa, Charles Mutai, William Shivoga, who is the acting DVC for Planning and Research, and Dr Patrick Ojera, the acting DVC Finance and Administration.

Philip Wekesa, the third petitioner representing the Citizens for Good Governance, said despite writing to Education CS Amina Mohamed to have some members of the council removed from the office, no action had been taken.

“We want the chairman of the council to be surcharged over abuse of office, incompetence, gross misconduct in discharging his duties and violation of Chapter Six of the Constitution,” said Mr Wekesa.

A council member who sought anonymity said they were shocked to see the advert inviting the candidates for interviews. “The council is split into two and we will not preside over an exercise that is unconstitutional. We do not want to be micro-managed in reaching decisions that are uncouth."

Mmust Vice-Chancellor Fredrick Otieno, who is also the council secretary, and council chairman Jeremy Bundi declined to comment on the matter.