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An activist has moved to the Labour Court in Kakamega to stop Prof Peter Mwita from serving as the acting vice-chancellor at Kaimosi Friends University (Kafu), saying he was unduly appointed.
Stephen Chahasi has sued Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu and Kafu Council on grounds that the appointment contravenes the labour laws.
He believes the appointment borders on tribal and political favouritism.
“It is in the knowledge of the general public that Machogu and Mwita come from the same geographical area and there is a high possibility of tribal cards which should highly be discouraged and condemned,” he says in his pleadings.
He goes on to plead that in a recent interview to get a substantive VC for Kafu, Mwita took part but performed dismally, ranking fifth with 68 per cent, among the eight candidates interviewed and it was “against the rule of natural justice” to have him hold the top position at the academic institution ahead of those who beat him.
“The action by Machogu takes the intelligence of the participants of the interviews and that of Kenyans in general for granted,” he says.
Chahasia, whose case has been certified as urgent and will be heard on April 15, fears that if Mwita who assumed the acting role on February 19, 2024, is not removed, the university will sink into more trouble and crisis.
“Since Prof Mwita’s appointment, there have been wrangles in the university and community disrupting normal learning. He has made various actions that contravene fair administration to members of staff and it is doubtful he has required competency in administration,” alleges the activist.
“Kafu is on the verge of collapse if this court will not take urgent intervention to avert the ongoing crisis by giving an order to stop his (Mwita) mysterious, suspect and fraudulent appointment.”
He said by allowing Prof Mwita to sit as the acting VC, the Kafu Council was setting a bad precedent for other universities and risks plunging the institution into uncertainty and unnecessary chaos.
Chahasia said the growing unrest and confusion in the university needed immediate attention for the good of the learners.
The activist further accused Machogu of acting with impunity by appointing Prof Mwita when Prof Jack Nandi, was already occupying the position.
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
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