We must stem the slide of our universities into tribal enclaves

Kilemi Mwiria

Like in other sectors of our society, tribalism is becoming an issue of major concern in public universities as evidenced in staff recruitment and promotions, procurement contracts and student politics. We can trace this vice to the early 1970s when Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta by-passed more qualified candidates to hand pick Dr Josphat Karanja, who had limited university teaching and administrative experience, the first Kenyan Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi. Another Karanja was appointed University Registrar instead of the more qualified Dr Owako.