UASU Rejects New Multimedia University (MMU) Vice-Chancellor, Points Appointment Violations
Trouble is brewing at Multi Media University (MMU) as the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) calls on Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu to revoke the recent appointments within the university’s leadership.
Uasu Secretary General, Onesmus Mutio, has urged the CS to annul the appointment of Prof Rosebella Maranga as the acting Vice-Chancellor, along with the appointments of two Deputy Vice Chancellors and the university council chairman, Moses Ole Saduka, effective January 2, 2024.
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Chairing a council meeting on January 9, 2024, Ole Sakuda appointed Prof Maranga as the acting VC, accompanied by her deputies Prof Geoffrey Kihara (Administration and Finance) and Prof Livingstone Ngoo (Academic Affairs/Research), all set for a six-month term.
The union has expressed concerns about the delayed publication of the names of shortlisted staff who underwent interviews. Mutio emphasized the need for a substantive chairman and a Vice Chancellor to bring stability to the university’s management.
Mutio has raised suspicions about the appointment process, particularly the exclusion of Prof Paul Mbatia, with whom he and Maranga had previously served as deputy vice-chancellors.
The ongoing discord between the university and Uasu has led to several unsuccessful meetings chaired by Sakuda in an attempt to resolve differences.
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Mutio contends that Machogu made an error in appointing Sakuda as the university council chairman, asserting that it violates the Universities Act of 2012.
He argues that the appointment has caused chaos within the MMU community as council members and unit managers are serving in acting capacities, creating an unfair advantage for certain individuals.
The terms of former Deputy Vice-Chancellors Prof Mbatia and Prof Maranga concluded on December 17 of the previous year. Both had applied to retain their positions through the Public Service Commission (PSC) and were scheduled for fresh interviews.
Mbatia had previously served at the University of Nairobi, while Maranga had a background at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology before their appointments at Multi Media University.
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UASU Rejects New Multimedia University (MMU) Vice-Chancellor, Points Appointment Violations
