Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has ordered Meru University’s council to reinstate Vice-Chancellor Romanus Odhiambo days after the don was kicked out of office over alleged underperformance and mismanagement of the institution’s resources.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 7, Machogu said the removal of Prof Odhiambo before the end of his tenure was ill-timed and unlawful.
The CS said the decision had contributed to student unrest that led to the indefinite closure of the institution on Monday.
He ordered the council to reverse the decision no later than the close of business on Tuesday and reopen the university by Wednesday.
Machogu also said the graduation that had been scheduled for March 11 should take place as planned.
“The decision is ill-timed because it was made a few days to the scheduled graduation ceremony of 11th March, 2023, with the obvious consequence that it would undermine the preparations for the imminent event and destroy the hopes of graduands to transit into the world of work immediately,” Machogu said.
“Regrettably, the Council fell short of its legal duty of fidelity to the applicable law. The University Council is directed to facilitate Prof. Odhiambo’s resumption of office as Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect.”
Prof Odhiambo’s contract was due to expire in July this year, but the council declined to renew it.
“The University Council in its meeting held on 27th February 2023, evaluated your performance and found it to be below expectations. Therefore, the council declined to renew your contract as requested in your letter dated 20th December 2022,” Council chair Professor Bosire Mwebi said last week.
The council directed Prof Odhiambo to proceed on a compulsory leave of 121 days to allow the management to start the process of recruiting a new VC.
“You are not authorised to transact on any capital project in the University but restrict your transactions only to personal emoluments and recurrent expenditure. You are required to proceed on your pending leave of 121 days once a suitable replacement has been identified,” Prof Mwebi added.
The students took to the streets on Monday morning to demand the reinstatement of Prof Odhiambo by lighting bonfires, paralysing transport along Meru-Maua road.
Police were forced to use teargas to disperse the students and several were reportedly arrested during the incident.
The students said they were against the removal of Prof. Odhiambo from office because of his track record.
According to the students, the outgoing VC had raised the academic standards and infrastructure of the university.
During the demonstrations, a car was set on fire and several students arrested.
