University’s top guns differ over selection of VC

By Sam Otieno

Succession wrangles have hit a private university and are threatening to delay appointment of a new vice-chancellor. It has emerged that a rift between the Governing Council (GC) and the Board of Trustees (BOT) of KCA University over the choice of a new VC is threatening to spill out of control.

The Standard has reliably learnt that a series of behind the scenes intrigues are slowly taking shape.

Sources privy to the happenings at the institution allege that BOT and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, who are the sponsors of the university, have a preferred candidate for the powerful position of VC.

The position became vacant after the retirement of Prof Daniel Oruoch who headed the institution since its inception.

Meet on Tuesday

The wrangles have prompted the chancellor Arthur Eshiwani to convene a crisis meeting on Tuesday at Nairobi’s Serena Hotel to discuss the delay.

Those short-listed for the position include Prof Rosemary Maina, who is the acting VC as well as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs and Prof Noah Midamba, a higher education consultant.

Others are Prof John Parkinson, Dr Charles Maina, and Prof Samuel Kaita.

The consulting firm, Manpower Recruitment Services, had been contracted to conduct the interviews.

Board members have threatened to resign if the VC is appointed in a manner that is not transparent.

"Some people are trying to block the process and want to impose a candidate against the procedure, which we will not allow even if it means stepping down as board members," said a board member who declined to be named.

Amend Trust deed

Sources intimated that six BOT members met in February at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi to discuss how the governing council could be reconstituted.

"They also discussed how to amend KCA Trust Deed to include appointment of VC by the BOT and not the GC as is the case currently," said the source.

He added: "The intention of their meeting is to weaken GC, appoint friendly members to GC so they can appoint a VC who will serve their interests."

Consequently, a substantive meeting held on March 2, revoked the appointment of the GC chaired by Mr Fred Murunga after the BOT chairman claimed he was unable to work with him.

The reports were confirmed by last Friday’s announcement by the board that it had replaced four members of the GC including Murunga.

Others who have been replaced are Richard Etemesi, Wahome Gakuru and Caroline Kigen.

According to sources that were part of the interviewing panel, Prof Maina’s name was not among the short-listed candidates but her name was slotted in at the last minute, allegations that we could not confirm.

Contacted, Prof Maina dismissed claims interested parties were fronting her.

She said she has no idea who will be appointed but added, she is willing to work with the successful candidate.

"I would not have applied if I was being fronted. I applied like any other candidate and I am yet to get communication of the results," said Maina, adding she was not aware that people are taking sides on the issue.

Can’t pre-empt

But ousted Governing Council Chairman, Mr Murunga, who was among the interviewing panel said the process has so far been transparent, and that the appointment would soon be announced.

"Although we have the information on who got what, we have also not shared it to the candidates and it would be pre-empting to release it before the end of the process," he said.

Murunga added the information has only been shared within the GC.