Kenyan appointed Vice-Chancellor of South African University

Prof Peter Mbati was this week appointed the Vice-Chancellor of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in South Africa.

Mbati, a distinguished scholar, holds a Ph.D. in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from Kenyatta University and previously served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Venda in South Africa.

On Thursday, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya was quick to congratulate him on his appointment, describing him as a son of the soil as he hails from Mumias East.

“I am very delighted to learn of your well-deserved appointment to the position of VC of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in Pretoria.

“The awesome achievement is a source of inspiration and pride for not only your peers, friends and family, but also for your compatriots in Kenya,” said the governor.

In a statement on their website, the university said Mbati was appointed after a thorough and rigorous process and he will assume his role on June 1, 2020.

Sefako Makgatho stated that contrary to reports that Mbati was hurriedly appointed, the recruitment process started in late 2019 and the scholar beat a number of candidates to the position.

The statement further affirmed that Mbati has no criminal record and was considered fit to lead the institution.

“Council is of the firm view that Prof Mbati is the right person for the position of Vice-Chancellor. His impeccable credentials and performance record as an institutional leader for more than a decade puts him in good stead to lead the University.

“He is an accomplished scholar and researcher in his discipline, and has the capacity to take SMU to greater heights. Council did probe allegations levelled against Prof Mbati during his tenure as a Vice-Chancellor at another South African university,” read the statement.

Adding: “Council was satisfied that those allegations were tested in a court of law, and Prof Mbati was found not guilty by any court of law.”