New vice chancellor

Omondi Nyabundi will replace Dominick Makawiti as Maseno University vice chancellor when the latter's first term ends in February next year.

An announcement made by Maseno University Council Chairperson Rosalind Mutua indicates that Prof Nyabundi will be joining the institution from Murang'a University College where he is serving as the principal.

From 2012 to 2014, he served as the acting deputy vice chancellor, administration and finance before he was appointed principal.

"Nyabundi joins Maseno University following a successful completion of the process of appointing the vice chancellor," Prof Mutua said.

He joins the institution at a time when it is facing different challenges Three weeks ago, the institution was closed indefinitely following the killing of a student during riots.

The riots were sparked after police allegedly shot at a vehicle that was being used by some students for campaigning in the Students' Organisation of Maseno University (Somu) elections.

STUDENTS ELECTIONS

This happened a few weeks after the institution's administration block was burnt down. It was also blamed on students following allegations that their elections had been interfered with.

Nyabundi holds a PhD in Agronomy from the University of California, US, and is a full professor of horticulture with a wealth of administrative and academic experience. He was a lecturer and a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi (UoN) from 1985 to 1990.

He later joined Maseno University in 1996. He also served as Chemelil Sugar Company managing director between 2007 and 2012.

At Maseno, he held the positions of chairman, department of horticulture, dean of the faculty of science, dean of the school of agriculture and food security, director, students welfare and director of the botanic garden. He is a renowned scholar who has published widely and has presented papers at local and international conferences.