Confusion at varsity as VC is dismissed

By James Ratemo

Kenya Methodist University Vice-Chancellor Mutuma Mugambi has been suspended.

And management wrangles at the institution threaten studies at all its five campuses.

Learning remained paralysed for the better part of yesterday at the Nairobi campus with tension rising in other campuses in Nyeri, Mombasa, Nakuru and Meru after the now ousted Mugambi sent out a memo closing the university indefinitely.

This came after a management meeting on Wednesday failed to resolve the stalemate, which has been bedevilling the institution for several months.

However, the Chancellor, Bishop Stephen Kanyaru, intervened and reversed Mugambi’s decision, throwing learners into even more confusion.

"Mugambi ceased being Kemu’s Vice-Chancellor on February 16. Prof Alfred Mutema, who was Mugambi’s deputy, has taken over as the new VC. The university is not closed," said Kanyaru.

Prof Mugambi said there has been a clash between the Methodist Church and the institution’s management.

In a telephone interview with The Standard, Mugambi cited management wrangles and said he will pursue legal action as regards his dismissal.

"I am going on leave then after I am settled, I will take a necessary legal action. My contract is supposed to end in 2012," argued Mugambi.

Productive work

Students at the Nairobi campus were shocked yesterday when they reported to the college only to find the gates closed before receiving Mugambi’s memo on its closure.

"The university is closed with immediate effect as of February 18. Senate at its special meeting on February 17 expressed the desire for the operations of the university to remain normal…it is now apparent that the situation on the ground is not conducive for productive work," read Mugambi’s memo in part.

Students demanded access to the institution as police kept watch.

Mugambi later told The Standard he has kept off the institution and learning should continue as per wishes of the Chancellor.