Top Moi-era officials bounce back to head State universities

A number of individuals who served as civil servants under the administration of former president Daniel arap Moi, have bounced back to public life in the list of 22 people appointed by Education secretary Fred Matiang’i to State universities.

Prof Shem Migot Adhola, who served as agriculture and rural development permanent secretary in the Richard Leakey-led dream team, has been appointed as the new chair of Kenyatta University.

Dr Julius Tangus Rotich, who served during Mr Moi’s tenure as an assistant director of the defunct Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, chairs the Council of Chuka University.

Dr Rotich also worked under President Mwai Kibaki both as the National Cereals and Produce Board managing director and as East African Community deputy secretary general.

Dr Ephraim Mukisira, who worked as deputy director at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute under Mr Moi before rising to director general in the Kibaki administration, is the new chairperson of Kisii University.

“Following the expiry of tenure of the councils of 22 state universities, I am pleased to announce that I have duly constituted new councils in pursuant to the provisions of the Universities Act,” said Dr Matiang’i in a statement.

Former Kenya Power managing director Ben Chumo has been named new chairperson of Njoro-based Egerton University.

The former Kenya Power boss turned 60 last year, prompting activist Okiya Omtatah to move to court saying Dr Chumo had attained the mandatory retirement age and hence should leave office.

Also on the list is Dr Dulacha Galgalo Baraka who served in the Central Bank Supervision and Banking Services departments from 1996.
Dr Baraka heads Meru University of Science and Technology council.

Dr Matiang’i avoided picking the chairpersons from regions where the universities are located.

There has been outcry from leaders from certain communities who have been pushing for their community members to be appointed in the institutions that are in their locality.

Other universities that have new councils are Masinde Muliro a University, among others.