CS Amina Mohamed's Vice Chancellor Appointees Challenged in Court

Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed’s re-appointment of Vice Chancellors whose terms were set to end this month has sparked trouble.

Dr Wilfrida Itolondo, who is the petitioner, argued that the renewed contracts for VCs in the Technical University of Kenya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, University of Kabianga and Maasai Mara University were defective.

The court documents read: “Petitioner seeks to invalidate the appointment of four University vice-chancellors.”

Dr Itolondo, who is also a lecturer, further contended that the decision was not subjected to an inclusive competitive and transparent process that involves public participation.

[caption caption="The Judiciary"][/caption]

She maintained there was no advertisement conducted for the position by the universities further adding that on several occasions, she made efforts to raise concerns to CS Amina about the need to appoint Vice Chancellors of public universities through a competitive process.

“The University being a public institution, the four VCs and other individuals not known to the applicant are subject to public scrutiny and are answerable and accountable to stakeholders in the performance of their duties under the law,” the petition further read.

According to Dr Itolondo, the Education CS acted outside the law by re-appointing the four — Francis Aduol (TUK), Prof. Stephen Agong (Jaramogi Oginga Odinga), Wilson Kipng’eno (Kabianga) and Mary Walingo (Maasai Mara University) — without subjecting them to a competitive process.

She stated that the reappointment of the four VCs was shrouded in secrecy, therefore, urged the court to suspend CS Amina’s decision pending hearing and determination of the petition.

While retaining the Vice Chancellors, the Education CS maintained their appointment was decided based on their performance.

[caption caption="Education CS Amina Mohammed with PS Belio Kipsang"][/caption]

The Universities Act 2012 states the recruitment of Vice Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Principals of constituent colleges must be done through a competitive process by respective councils that are appointed by the Education CS.