Education Secretary George Magoha has pulled out of the heavily contested Vice-Chancellor position at the University of Nairobi.
The University leadership row was between Prof. Stephen Kiama and Isaac Mbeche, the later being Magoha’s appointee.
On Thursday afternoon, Magoha withdrew a letter he wrote to the labour court seeking to stop Kiama’s appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of the city-based university.
The withdrawal of Magoha’s letter meant that Kiama was free to lead the university unopposed.
PROF STEPHEN Kiama to continue serving as UoN VC after Education CS George Magoha withdrew a letter that revoked his appointment. pic.twitter.com/oEoJcZyLNj
— NationBreakingNews (@NationBreaking) February 27, 2020
The leadership wrangle became heated in June 2019 when Magoha dissolved the University’s Council and appointed its Deputy VC (Finance, Planning and Development) to take the top seat in an acting capacity.
While revoking the appointment of Kiama, (who had been appointed by the university council), Magoha stated that his ministry was not consulted in making the decision.
The two contestants took it upon themselves to write memos to kick the other out of the office or send them on compulsory leave.
University Leadership in Kenya have been heavily contested with tribal factors determining who clinches this power.
In 2018 Moi University Leadership was heavily contested between Prof. Laban Ayiro and Prof. Kosgey.
Local leaders who were opposed to Ayiro’s leadership stated that they wanted their own to lead the institution.