Looming Crisis as Over 10 Varsities Remain Without Vice-Chancellors and Councils
At least 10 public universities in Kenya are currently without substantive vice-chancellors.
These include the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Kibabii, Kabianga, Rongo, Tom Mboya, Karatina, Jaramogi University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Tharaka, Technical University of Mombasa, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Maseno, Taita Taveta, Kaimosi Friends University, and Chuka.
Additionally, Cooperative University of Kenya, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, South Eastern Kenya, Garissa, Murang’a University of Technology, Kisii, Multimedia, Masinde Muliro, University of Embu, Alupe University, University of Eldoret, and Meru University of Science and Technology are also affected.
The vice-chancellors of some universities, such as Maasai Mara University, will step down between June 1 and December.
Chancellor Vacancies:
In addition to the lack of substantive vice-chancellors, several universities are also without chancellors.
For instance, Pwani University has been operating without a chancellor since 2018, leading to four graduation ceremonies being presided over by the council chairman, which is a violation of the law.
The Universities Act 2012 allows the chairperson of the council to perform the chancellor’s functions for a maximum period of three months in their absence or incapacity.
Maasai Mara University has experienced the most severe leadership crisis.
The acting vice-chancellor, Joseph Chacha, is scheduled to retire on June 1, leaving a leadership vacuum at the institution.
Prof. Chacha took over the position in an acting capacity after Prof. Kitche Magak, who succeeded Prof. Mary Walingo, was forced out due to questions surrounding his PhD certificate. Prof.
Walingo was implicated in a corruption scandal and sent home in 2019. These succession challenges have brought the university to its knees.
The Kenya University Staff Union (Kusu) has urged the Ministry of Education to appoint substantive vice-chancellors and councils promptly.
Kusu emphasizes that the delay in appointments negatively affects university operations.
The union highlights the lack of a council at Maasai Mara University for several months and the impending retirement of the acting vice-chancellor, which poses a significant risk to the institution.
Efforts to Address the Crisis:
Member of Parliament Owen Baya raised concerns over the leadership crisis in higher education institutions and requested the Education Committee to take action to expedite the appointment of chancellors and vice-chancellors.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) advertised positions for vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors in various universities, but these roles remain unfilled.
The PSC has invited suitable candidates to apply for the positions, which include vacancies at Pwani, Kisii, Karatina, Machakos, South Eastern Kenya, Alupe, Tom Mboya, TUK, Kabianga, Eldoret, Tharaka, JOOUST, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, and Chuka universities.
Prof. John Akama, the Vice-Chancellor of Kisii University, highlighted the impending retirement of approximately ten vice-chancellors and urged the government to recognize and reward retiring dons for their contributions to these institutions.
Looming Crisis as Over 10 Varsities Remain Without Vice-Chancellors and Councils
