Leaders are there to be respected, and their respect depends on the protocol they hold. Then what happens if a highly ranked elder issues orders or directives only for them to be defied by people under him/her? Well, Just recently, Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed recommended her preferred person for the University of Nairobi’s top job, but has it been honored? Not at all! A University of Nairobi college principal has been handed the position of deputy vice-chancellor in an acting capacity barely one month after the Education Cabinet secretary bypassed him for the job.
Prof Stephen Kiama will act as deputy vice-chancellor (human resource and administration) for six months. Vice-chancellor Peter Mbithi made the appointment in accordance with the university charter.
“Prof Kiama will serve for a period of six months as provided for in the law,” said director of corporate affairs John Orindi.
In January, Prof Julia Ojiambo-chaired university council recommended Prof Kiama for the appointment but Ms Mohamed opted for another candidate, Prof William Ogara.
During the interviews for the position, Prof Kiama who scored 78.7 percent and ranked top while Prof Ogara was third with 62 percent. The council wrote to the minister to protest and even declined to give the four deputy vice-chancellors contracts until the Attorney General’s office issues an advisory opinion.
Until his appointment, Prof Kiama had been the principal at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences since April 2016.
Already two cases are in court challenging the appointment of the four deputy vice-chancellors. However, Ms Mohamed defended her appointments and said they were based on gender, merit and regional balance.
In a letter to Solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto, dated January 28, which also responded to the advisory opinion that the university had sought, Ms Mohamed said she exercised powers bestowed on her by the law.