The University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Stephen Kiama opened up on the intrigues that characterized his much-publicized war with Education CS George Magoha over the UoN Vice Chancellor's job.
In an interview with the Daily Nation published on Sunday, March 1, Kiama intimated that the news of his firing got to him a few minutes past midnight after CS Magoha gazetted it.
"I was just heading to bed shortly after midnight when my phone beeped with a news alert. My short tenure as VC had been rudely ended.
"I simply went to bed and in the morning I decided I will not just sit back and let things take their course. I decided to give Magoha a chance to explain to Kenyans and the world why he acted that way," he stated.
Kiama had been appointed on January 5, 2020, and was scheduled to be installed on January 21, when Magoha struck on January 17, barely two weeks after he started acting in the capacity.
The reasons for Magoha's decision was reported to be that the recruitment process was flawed, and as he invited EACC to look into the process, he called upon Isaac Mbeche to continue acting as VC in the meantime.
Kiama, however, reported to work on January 20 and wrote two memos to students and staff to remind them that he had lawfully been appointed the VC and urged them to disregard any notice that did not originate from his office.
He also issued an advert in the dailies and headed to the Employment and Labour Relations Court which immediately disreagarded Magoha's orders and reinstated him.
Kiama told the publication that the CS's decision to gazette his removal was informed by the changes in the university heads' recruitment system which no longer calls for traditional appointments by university councils, education ministers and presidents.
Kiama insisted that his recruitment by the Public Service Commission (PSC), making him the first-ever VC to be recruited in such a manner, was transparent, fair and competitive and that was why he could not let Magoha have his way.
"I am not a politician. I believe in following just rules, and when I do, I expect a just result. I'm prepared to die for the truth and justice, but even in death, I will not die quietly. I will die speaking out and I expect that of every discerning Kenyan," he concluded.
He, however, pointed out that he and the CS made up and share a good working relationship at the moment.
