Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Kibabii chapter Dr. Nyukuri has issued an ultimatum of seven days to the appointing authority to release the name of new vice chancellor before they seek court injunction to stop whole process.
Let by general secretary for UASU Kibabii chapter Dr. Robert Nyukuri lamented on the slow pace at which the appointing authority led by the Council of University Senate and trying to interfere in the process of getting the new vice chancellor.
“The last load of the deputy vice chancellor who did their interviews after the group that was seeking the VC had already been confirmed and we want to ask the appointing authority and the Ministry of Education Science and Technology in the country to faster track the process in seven days period.” Said Dr. Nyukuri.
The general secretary appealed to the cabinet secretary for education and science and technology Dr. Fred Matiang’I to intervene and settle the matter before the UASU gets impatient.
Dr. Nyukuri said many programs at the university have remained stack due to the vacancy of the VC.
He added that the vice chancellor who has been acting since last year when the university was chartered his term expired on 14th of may this year.
He further stated that the appointment of the next VC must be informed by the views of students, staff and the university statute.
“The workers are going through rough time since the tension is high at the university, what we want is a clear message for our colleagues let the council of senate and the ministry come out and clear the atmosphere.” The General Secretary uttered.
Dr. Nyukuri said the union is demanding the ministry to fast track the process of issuing an appointment letter to the qualified personnel.
He said so far, for a period of one month the university has been operating without the vice chancellor cautioning the delay that may interfere with the September intake.
Vice chairman of UASU Norbert Wanyonyi insisted that the university should be given a substantially vice chancellor to sort out the management gap and with the concern of not well empowered institution.
“The university may be in a big problem if the mistake may occur in issuing the letters. I want to request that let the team get down and address the challenges we are facing so that we move forward until the new Vice chancellor is appointed.” Dr. Norbert added.
He also demanded for a substantially appointed deputy vice chancellor for academics and students affairs.
He said if not well planned the position may be a big blow to the institution.
Same sentiment was echoed by the UASU member Wasike Dancan who requested for a fair and transparency process in appointing the VC.
However they insisted on seeking court injunction to stop the whole process if the university ca not get a new VC in a period of seven days.
