Matiang’i  plot to  sneak Prof  Mbeche as next UoN VC leaks – Weekly Citizen

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has been sulked in the selection of the University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor.

Prof Mbithi

Highly placed sources revealed that Dr Matiang’i is pushing for the appointment of acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Mbeche.

He was appointed the acting Vice-Chancellor in July after the UoN council rejected Prof Peter Mbithi’s bid for automatic reappointment as VC for a second term.

Prof Mbeche

“The Council wishes to take this opportunity to reassure the University of Nairobi community and all Stakeholders that it is in charge and there is no cause for alarm,” said council chair Julia Ojiambo in a communication to staff and students after they rejected Prof Mbithi’s push for reappointment.

Prior to this appointment, Prof Mbeche was  acting  deputy vice-chancellor in charge of finance, planning and development department.The officer holder was Prof Benard Njoroge who could not work with Prof Mbithi.Prof Njoroge is also among those to apply for the VC lot.

Prof Mbithi was sent on leave starting July 6 to allow for an effective appointment process of a new vice-chancellor.

Insiders add that Dr Matiang’i has held several strategy meetings with Kisii professionals in Nairobi Karen area  to find the best way of ensuring Prof Mbeche, a Kisii, gets the position. One of the schemes was to remove the cap stipulating a public university vice-chancellor should retire at the age of 70 years. In the newly advertisement for UoN Vice-Chancellor, the retirement age was changed from 70 years to 75 years to accommodate Prof Mbeche who is 69 years old.However asection of council members allied to deputy president William Ruto have leaked the information to the number two in command who does not see eye to eye with Matiangi.

Dr Ojiambo

Also to benefit from the age issue is former Academic deputy VC Prof Henry Mutoro ,who could not work freely under Prof Mbithi.Talk is rife,Prof Mutoro can also apply for the position.Insiders say,for long,the university management prefers an insider as VC and position moving within faculties.Anumber of faculties have not been take care of as it is now.Faculties that have produced VC are those of Arts,Engineering,Medicine both Human and Vetinary.Others are still waiting in the wings.