Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has recently made significant appointments to university councils in Kenya. These appointments were made to address the governance issues faced by 14 institutions that were operating without proper governance structures.
As part of these appointments, Dr. Sara Ruto, the former cabinet administrative secretary for Education, has been appointed as the Chair of the Kisii University council, alongside Samson Muchelule.
Additionally, veteran politician Prof. Amukowa Anangwe has been appointed as the Chair of the University of Nairobi council, joined by Caren Kerubo Omwenga, Ahmed Sheikh Abdullai, Dr. Sally Ngeringwony Toroitich, and Dr. Darmain ole Warkae as council members.
Revoked appointments
The former council of Kisii University was chaired by renowned academic Prof. Miriam Khamadi Were, with other members including Alison I.N. Kariuki, Charles O. Ogolo, and Flora Mtuweta Mighulo Maghanga.
Furthermore, Education Cabinet Secretary Machogu revoked the appointment of Harriet Chiggai to the council of South Eastern Kenya University, replacing her with Esther Wanjiru Ndirangu. Notably, Chiggai is also a council member of the Law Society of Kenya.
Additional appointments to university councils
In addition to these appointments, Prof. Emmanuel Mutisya has been appointed to chair the inaugural council of the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), which will be located at the Konza Technopolis. The KAIST council includes Prof. Washington O. Yotto, Dr. Collins K Tanui, Eng. Meshak Kidenda, and Purity Mureithi.
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These appointments are expected to address governance issues faced by public universities in Kenya, some of which have been operating without chancellors, substantive vice-chancellors, and deputy vice-chancellors. It is worth noting that there have been discussions to amend the Universities Act to restore the role of appointing Vice-Chancellors and Deputy Vice-Chancellors back to university councils.
Additional appointments were made to various university councils, including Chuka University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Laikipia University, Maasai Mara University, Maseno University, Technical University of Mombasa, Pwani University, and Turkana University College. These appointments and revocations aim to address leadership crises and ensure effective governance within these institutions.
