Uasu accuses Machogu of tribalism
Uasu accuses Machogu of tribalism
Ezekiel Machogu, the cabinet secretary for education, has come under fire from the University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) for recent appointments made to academic institutions.
Onesmus Mutio, the national organizing secretary of Uasu, charged Machogu of purported tribalism in the selection of council members for public universities. According to him, the CS’s actions need to be contested because they run the risk of fostering tribalism in universities.
Mutio, the Multi-Media University (MMU) Secretary General, demanded immediate action to rid the universities of tribalism.
He was responding to Dr. Angelica Obaga’s appointment to Multimedia University’s council on April 5.
Lawrence Okelo and Vincent Moseti were appointed by Machogu to the Commission for University.
At Kabianga University, the CS selected Peter Githirwa, Tabitha Nyandiek, and Edna Nyaboke as council members; at Southern Eastern Kenya University, he selected John Ondari and Fancy Kemei.
According to Mutio, Ben Momanyi was appointed by the CS to the Kirinyaga University council for a three-year term.
He claimed that public universities were being transformed into local cattle dip associations, with leadership coming from the village eldership.
Speaking to The Standard, Mutio asserted that the CS’s most recent appointments were unjustified and that such choices ought to be opposed.
“This implies that staff promotions will not be discussed, and even the appointment of directors, deans, and department heads will be tribal appointments,” the Uasu official asserted.
He said that the union had petitioned the government to stop the university appointments.
According to Mutio, there has been an irregular behavior on the part of Prof. Rosebella Maranga, the Vice Chancellor of MMU, and the union has not received any response to complaints that it has made through the Chief of Staff Felix Koskei’s office.
Last week, Machogu was charged by the Public Investment Committee, which was led by Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami, of selecting his relatives to positions in universities.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu was instructed by the committee to carry out a special audit at the ministry.
However, Machogu had previously stated that the accusations made against him are untrue. “What is being peddled are mere allegations to tarnish my reputation,” the Chief of Staff stated.
