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Moi University: New Council sends Vice Chancellor Kosgey, top officials on compulsory leave
The entrance to Moi University's main campus in Kesses, Uasin Gishu County on February 8, 2024.
The newly installed Moi University Council has sent Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Kosgey and other senior managers on compulsory leave as it moves to tackle administrative and financial challenges and turn around the troubled institution to regain its lost glory.
Prof Kosgey has been sent on an eight-month compulsory leave while Deputy Vice Chancellors Prof Isaac Njuguna Kimengi (Academic Affairs) and Prof Kirimi Kiriamiti (Administration, Planning and Research) have been sent on a one-year compulsory leave.
At the same time, Senior Legal Officer Ms Patrolina Chepkwony and Acting Chief Finance Officer Joshua Koech were suspended.
In the interim, Prof Kiplagat Kotut has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor.
Prof Khaemba Ongeti has been appointed Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic, Research, Extension and Student Affairs).
The changes were announced by Council Chairperson Prof Noah Midamba at a press conference at Jogoo House, the Ministry of Education headquarters in Nairobi.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who witnessed the swearing-in of the new council members last week, promised radical reforms to save the university from imminent collapse.
The CS charged the newly inaugurated council with the responsibility of implementing policies and strategies aimed at fast-tracking the revival of the institution.
"Leadership and governance issues necessitated the appointment of a new council to steer this university. It is now the responsibility of the new team to put in place sustainable strategies to ensure that the institution regains its glory before the challenges it is currently experiencing," Mr Ogamba said.
The CS revoked the appointment of Dr Humphrey Kimani Njuguna as council chairperson and replaced him with Prof Noah Midamba, two weeks after President William Ruto promised to set up a committee to assess the magnitude of the crisis facing the university and recommend a lasting solution.
Those whose appointments were revoked include Prof Clara Samiji Momanyi, Christopher Khaemba, Eusilah Jepkosgei Ngeny and Susan Amlango Aletia.
Mr Ogamba appointed Prof Noah Midamba, Prof Ronald Wasike, Dr Mercy Nyambura Kanyara, Dr Edwin Sambili and Anne Weceke Makori as chairpersons and members of the university council respectively.
Mr Ogamba said the crisis that has plagued the university since 2024 had forced the government to intervene and save it from collapse.
"We will not sit back and watch universities crumble due to poor leadership and the new council members have a responsibility to restore the confidence of students and staff who have been affected by the crisis in the university," Mr Ogamba added.
He urged the members of the University Council to play a critical role in promoting good governance, transparency and accountability, and to move forward in education, research and innovation.
"We will no longer tolerate laxity in the management of our universities. There is no university that can survive if it cannot carve a niche for itself and that is what we are determined to achieve," Mr Ogamba said.
He urged the members of the University Council to play a critical role in promoting good governance, transparency and accountability, as well as advancing education, research and innovation.
The new council chairperson, Prof Midamba, assured the government of his commitment to reform the university based on his vast management experience.
"I have what it takes to reform and redeem Moi University. Together with my team, we promise to achieve greatness and urge leaders to own the challenges emanating from their leadership and move on," said Prof Midamba.
President Ruto, while touring his home county of Uasin Gishu two weeks ago, promised to set up a committee to assess the magnitude of the challenges facing Moi University and recommend a long-term solution.
He revealed plans to overhaul the management and allocate adequate resources to salvage the financially troubled institution.
"We will put in place an efficient management team and allocate sufficient resources so that Moi University can thrive like other public universities," President Ruto said last Friday during a tour of his home turf in Uasin Gishu County.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are probing financial and managerial mismanagement at the cash-strapped institution.