Kaimenyi defends Eldoret university VC over attacks

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Education secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said replacing officials posted to public institutions on the basis of their ethnicity would set a bad precedent.

The government will not bow to pressure and replace University of Eldoret Vice-Chancellor Teresa Akenga on the basis of her tribe, Education secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has said.

Prof Kaimenyi said replacing officials posted to public institutions on the basis of their ethnicity would set a bad precedent.

“We can’t convert universities to be tribal. The universality of universities must be maintained lest we balkanise the country,” Prof Kaimenyi told the Senate Education Committee chaired by Senator Daniel Karaba.

The vice-chancellor is facing resistance from a section of the community which allegedly wants the institution to be headed by “one of their own.” Prof Kaimenyi said Prof Akenga was appointed on merit and those who were eyeing the position should give her time to execute her mandate.

“We should allow others to run institutions of higher learning. We can’t allow resistance. I instructed them to be firm and move on. She is there on merit. After all, they didn’t even qualify,” Prof Kaimenyi said.

READ: University of Eldoret VC says most staff from Rift Valley

The university’s council chairman, Prof Sarone ole Sena, who appeared before the committee alongside Prof Akenga, said the institution was temporarily closed as the power struggles played out.

“It’s unfortunate that local leaders had ganged up with some youths to frustrate the vice chancellor. They want to own and localise the university,” Prof Sena said.

Uasin Gishu Senator Paul Melly recently led a demonstration at the university to eject Prof Akenga on allegations of corruption and nepotism, prompting the indefinite closure of the institution.

Prof Akenga has maintained that members of staff are hired according to the university’s recruitment policy and that most of them are from the Rift Valley region, contrary to the position taken by her opponents.

Prof Sena, however, said the council had made significant steps in reconciling the warring groups to ensure that service delivery is not disrupted.