Meru University in Turmoil as Council Fires Vice Chancellor
Controversy has erupted at the Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) just a week before the 11th graduation ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Romanus Odhiambo, has been sacked by the University Council, chaired by Professor Bosire Mwebi, citing underperformance.
This decision has elicited a strong response from Odhiambo, who has been at the helm of the institution since July 2018.
In a letter dated February 27, 2023, and addressed to Odhiambo, the council stated that it had evaluated his performance and decided not to renew his contract.
The letter was copied to the Education Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research. According to the council, Odhiambo’s performance was below expectations, and therefore, his contract would not be renewed.
The council’s decision means that Odhiambo is no longer authorized to transact on any capital project in the university, but he can restrict his transactions to personal emoluments and recurrent expenditure.
Furthermore, he is required to proceed on his pending leave of 121 days once a suitable replacement has been identified.
Following the council’s decision, an internal memo was circulated by the acting Vice Chancellor, Charity Gichuki. The memo stated that Professor Odhiambo is on his annual leave, and during this period, Gichuki has been appointed as the acting Vice Chancellor.
This decision was made by the University Council, and Gichuki will stand in as acting VC until a suitable replacement is identified.
The sacking of Professor Odhiambo has caused controversy among the university’s stakeholders, including students, faculty, and alumni. Some have expressed their disappointment with the council’s decision, while others have supported it, stating that underperformance should not be tolerated in academic institutions.
The controversy surrounding Odhiambo’s sacking is likely to overshadow the university’s upcoming graduation ceremony, and it remains to be seen how the institution will move forward after this development.
In conclusion, the sacking of the Meru University of Science and Technology’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Romanus Odhiambo, due to underperformance, has caused controversy within the institution.
The University Council has appointed an acting Vice Chancellor, Charity Gichuki, until a suitable replacement is identified. The decision has elicited a mixed response from stakeholders, and it remains to be seen how the university will address the situation moving forward.
Meru University in Turmoil as Council Fires Vice Chancellor