KU to Get Back WHO Land as Gachagua Apologizes to VC Wainaina.
Vice President Rigathi Gachagua disclosed that the government would reclaim land chartered to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Kenyatta University (KU).
Vice President Rigathi Gachagua apologized to the vice chancellor of Kenyatta University, Paul Wainaina, for public humiliation.
The DP stated on Friday during the KU 52 graduation ceremony that Wainaina is a family man who did not deserve to be humiliated.
Gachagu declared that the land had been illegally allotted.
According to the DP, the government would legally grant land to squatters, and the remaining property would be allocated to KU.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta harshly and publicly criticized him in July for refusing to give nearly half of the university land for a World Health Organization project and to relocate squatters.
He said that the administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta did not follow the procedure when transferring the institution’s land.
“Early this year before the new administration came in, the previous one intimidated the university council and vice chancellor to allow the grabbing of Kenyatta University land.”
“These great men and women stood their ground and refused to surrender the land,” Gachagua remarked amidst cheers from the graduands.
Gachagua remarked that the land would be promptly returned to Kenyatta University.
“As a government, we have instructed the Ministry of Land to cancel those allocations and reinstate the land to Kenyatta University,” Gachagua revealed.
The Environment and Lands Court authorized the government to acquire 410 acres of Kenyatta University land in August 2022.
The area was allotted to the World Health Organization (30 acres), Africa Centre for Disease Control (10 acres), and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (108 acres).
Professor Paul Wainaina, the vice-chancellor of the university, and the entire university council were sent home for allegedly refusing to hand up the university’s title deed for adjudication of the land.
Gachagua disclosed that the VC and council were reinstated because they did the right thing.
As he said goodbye to his students, images of a sobbing VC Wainaina circulated across the nation.
Uhuru pledged to address Prof. Wainaina and the university council “quickly and effectively.”
Joseph Kinyua, the former head of the public service, demanded in three consecutive letters that the VC transfer university title deeds to the government.
The High Court reinstated Prof. Wainaina, however, granting him a respite.
“President William Ruto made a promise that once he gets elected, he will reinstate the university top leadership and that was fulfilled,” Gachagua remarked.
Prof. Wainaina was restored at Kenyatta University on November 3, two months after Ruto was sworn in as president.
Gachagua stated that higher education institutions should be permitted to operate independently without harassment.
At the 52nd graduation ceremony, more than 5,500 graduates were conferred and awarded various degrees, diplomas, and certificates on Friday.
Gachagua used the opportunity to discuss the suspension and harassment of Kenyatta University vice-chancellor Paul Wainaina over the land.
Prof. Wainaina was forced out of office on August 15 due to a chain of events stemming from a property ownership issue adjacent to Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital.
The problems began when Prof. Wainaina was ordered to turn up nearly half of Kenyatta University’s land to the government.
Gachagua stated that medical students could utilize the Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital to develop their skills.
Prof. Wainaina stated that Kenyatta University would continue to influence the education industry via research and technology.
He stated that the institution is moving in the right direction and that the University council is unitedly working to achieve the university’s mission.
Wainaina stated, “We will continue to influence lives by providing our students with the necessary job market skills.”
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu stated that the government is prepared to help higher education institutions.
According to him, the educational system is on track.
The CS recommended that colleges invest in research and technology.
President William Ruto hinted at a change in the funding paradigm for public universities on Thursday, suggesting that the cash-strapped institutions will admit students based only on the government’s ability to pay them rather than their achievement on the KCSE examinations.
A few months ago, faculty members from numerous colleges petitioned the government to raise funds and salvage the failing institutions.
KU to Get Back WHO Land as Gachagua Apologizes to VC Wainaina.
