Education CS Machogu reinstates sacked Kenyatta University Council Chair

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has rescinded the decision by his successor Prof. George Magoha to appoint Prof. Chrispus Kiamba as the Kenyatta University Council Chairperson.

In a gazette notice on Friday, CS Machogu dismissed Prof. Kiamba and replaced him with Shem Migot-Adholla, who was fired from the same position following disagreements with the previous government over Kenyatta University land.

The CS also appointed Eric Kindon Sila and Mary Mugo as members of the new council, all serving for a period of one year

“In exercise of powers conferred by section 36 (1) (a) and (d) of the Universities Act, 2012, the Cabinet Secretary for Education appoints Shem Migot-Adholla, as the chairperson and Eric Kindon Sila, Mary Mugo, as members of the Council of Kenyatta University for a period of one (1) year with effect from 4th November 2022,” read the notice.

“The appointments of Crispus Kiamba (prof.), Jane Wamoko and Carilus Odero Odumbe are revoked.”

Mr. Migot-Adholla was ousted after declining to surrender the university title deed to the Ministry of Lands for excision, insisting that the institution had a long term development master plan covering every inch of the parcel.

The appointment of the new council also follows the reinstatement of KU’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina on Wednesday by President William Ruto’s administration.

Prof. Wainaina was sacked in August this year after a standoff with the government, occasioned by a piece of land belonging to the university.

In the tussle, Prof Wainaina and the council, then also led by Mr. Migot-Adholla, had objected to then President Uhuru Kenyatta’s request to have the government apportion a section of the land to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The university don argued that the manner in which the land was being taken over was characteristic of land grabbing, drawing the ire of the former Head of State.