University staffers at MMUST call for removal of chairperson citing intimidation

Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) workers at the Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology (MMUST) are calling for the suspension of the Chairperson of the University Council.

In a statement addressed to Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos the staffers highlighted that Dr. Pamela Sitienei has been meddling, grossly interfering and micro managing the university’s day to day internal processes.

“We are continuing to witness perpetuation by the Council Chairperson of precedents that resulted in the running down and eventual collapse of some public universities in the Country in recent times,” the statement read in part.

They further claimed that Dr. Sitienei has sanctioned arbitrary suspensions and disciplinary action against staff, affecting eight employees so far.

They also argued that the suspensions are linked to an irregular payment of Ksh.40 million paid to the contractor of the stalled Engineering & TVET Complex Project, under alleged pressure by Dr. Sitienei.

“Part of the recommendations by the Parliamentary Investment Committee (PIC) when they visited the University last year was that the contract for the Engineering & TVET Complex Project be cancelled,” the claimed.

They also claimed that she has been interfering with almost all procurement processes by invoking the name "State House" whilst sidelining professional and technical experts in areas such as Procurement, Human Resource Management and Finance.

They therefore want the Ministry of Education and Department of Higher Education and Research to urgently, not later than 14 days, to appoint a new University Council Chairperson.