Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has ordered the immediate reinstatement of embattled Meru University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Romanus Odhiambo.
Machogu, in a press release, on Tuesday, March 7, noted that the University’s Council did not follow the due procedure in its decision to terminate his term.
Consequently, the CS ordered the resumption of learning activities on Wednesday, March 8. In addition, a graduation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, March 11, will go on as planned.
He criticised the decision to terminate the VC's term a few days before the graduation ceremony - terming it an ill-timed move.
In his statement, CS Machogu committed to attending the graduation ceremony on Saturday, March 7, where he is expected to address the disputes between the VC and the University's council.
“The institution’s 10th graduation ceremony, which was to take place on March 11, 2023, will proceed as planned and I will attend the ceremony.
"The obvious consequence is that it would undermine the preparations for the imminent event and destroy the hopes of graduands to transit into the world of work immediately," Machogu noted in his press release.
In addition, the CS directed the dissolution of the University's council with effect on Thursday, March 9.
Machogu's statement came a day after University issued a notice informing students of an indefinite closure of the institution and cancellation of the planned graduation ceremony.
The indefinite closure was occasioned by students' unrest within and outside the University's vicinities as they protested against the terminal leave handed to their Vice-Chancellor.
Businesses were brought to a standstill in the area as the students engaged police officers in running battles. The melee left scores of students apprehended as security agencies looked to contain the situation.
In an explanation of the reason behind the decision to send the VC on terminal leave, the University's Council noted that the VC's performance was poor and fell below expectations.
