Kaimenyi directs University of Nairobi to end row

Education Cabinet secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has instructed the University of Nairobi management to implement review findings of a task force instituted to look into human resource and expenditure.

The CS said Monday the two task forces instituted by the university to review the policies of keeping control of expenditures and staff transfers must be completed and forwarded for immediate implementation.

"The task forces must work fast and present their findings to the university's management board and to the council for discussion, approval and implementation," said Prof Kaimenyi.

Kaimenyi said after holding a day-long meeting at his office last week on Friday with the university council and the management board to address various challenges facing the university, chief among them leadership wrangles, inadequate confidentiality, tribalism and corruption, it was established that most allegations were false.

"During the ensuing discussions with the two management organs of the university, it was found that most of the allegations were not true. For the purpose of going forward and addressing these challenges, I have asked these managements to resolve the matter immediately," said Kaimenyi.

He instructed the university council and the management board to ensure the Universities Act, Statutes, procurement laws and university regulations are fully adhered to and implemented.

Kaimenyi also instructed university staff to desist from media spats to protect the image of the institution and noted that it was premature to move the matters to Parliament.

"In order to protect the image and reputation of the university, all members of staff, especially those in the management, shall always endeavour to exhaust the existing internal legal mechanisms to resolve management problems without resorting to the media, Parliament and the courts," he said.

The statement by Kaimenyi comes at a time the institution's Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi is facing management challenges from his deputy, Bernard Njoroge (DVC Finance and Administration).

In one of the letters to the council chairperson Farah Idle, which was tabled in Parliament last week, Prof Njoroge said he does not intend to obey the instructions of the VC.

"I have no intention of complying with the instructions he is callously issuing and I intend to continue performing the functions of the office of the DVC in full compliance with the statute," reads the letter by Njoroge.

Appearing before the National Assembly Education Committee, Njoroge accused the VC of undermining his office. He also said the VC had moved some of the functions from his office.

Prof Mbithi however told MPs if insubordination continues, he shall take disciplinary action. "I will take disciplinary action as per the Statute and the Universities Act," Mbithi told MPs. Mbithi said his deputy rarely consults him on important management matters.

MPs are currently investigating procurement, tribalism and the institution's financial status.