The University of Nairobi (UON) Council has sent Professor Peter Mbithi on terminal leave as they rejected his request for a second term.
In his place, the council appointed Professor Isaac Mbeche Keroka who was one of Mbithi’s deputies on an acting capacity.
Reports by Daily Nation also revealed that Mbeche had also replaced Mbithi as a signatory to the university’s finances.
The university’s over 5,000 employees were left worried about the delaying of their salaries the signatory changes.
“The Council wishes to take this opportunity to reassure the University of Nairobi community and all Stakeholders that it is in charge and there is no cause for alarm,” announced council chair Julia Ojiambo in communication to staff and students.
Mbithi’s leave will commence on July 6, 2019, when the search for a permanent VC will officially begin.
Daily Nation further reported that Mbithi was ordered to hand over to his replacement.
Prior to this appointment, Mbeche was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) in charge of finance, planning and development department.
Mbeche was appointed to the DVC post by former Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed in January of 2019.
He was appointed alongside Prof. Jama Mohamud, Prof. Lydia Njenga and Prof. Julius Ogeng’o as the four deputies to prof. Mbithi.
