Row on succession of Olive Mugenda as Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor deepens

Some Kenyatta University senate members have been accused of being behind the wrangles surrounding the succession of Vice Chancellor Olive Mugenda.

Speaking during the opening of an ultra-modern bookshop at the KU town campus, University Council Chair Ratemo Michieka accused some senate members, who he did not name, of trying to undermine the process of recruiting the new VC.

Kenyatta University council chairman Prof Ratemo Michieka(left) flanked by the outgoing vice-chancellor Prof Olive Mugenda(right) samples books at the KU ultramodern bookshop in Nairobi moments after he officially opened it. Prof Michieka accused a section of the university senate members he did not name of trying to undermine the process of looking for a new vice-chancellor. (PHOTO: KAMAU MAICHUHIE/ STANDARD)

 He said the members in question were trying come into the way of the council's job of finding a replacement for the outgoing VC. He also accused the senate members in question of not respecting Prof Mugenda.

 Prof Michieka said the VC deserved respect for steering the university to the world map for the eight years she had been at the helm of the institution. "You have worked with the VC for all this time and then all of a sudden you start writing issues that are beyond our comprehension," said Michieka.

He said the council would handle the transition within the stipulated regulations in order to ensure the best person gets the job.

"We are a council that does things above board and must be respected," he said.

But Mugenda, who was present during the event, termed the senate as supportive. "I think those people doing that have heard. Those who want to destroy the university are known but members of the university senate who are here are good," she said.