Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has appointed Dr. Albert Kochei as the new Council Chairman of Multi-Media University (MMU), to replace Moses Ole Saduka, who was serving in an acting capacity since January 4. The three-year appointment term was met with enthusiasm and appreciation from different stakeholders, including the University Staff Academic Union (UASU).
On July 2, Dr. Kochei chaired his first board meeting, marking a decisive step towards stabilizing leadership at the university. MMU has stumbled in controversies on leadership since January following the absence of a substantive chairman and Vice Chancellor (VC).UASU MMU Chapter Secretary General Onesmus Mutio said that Dr. Kochei’s appointment was a step in having stable leadership and called on CS Machogu to ensure that a substantive VC is appointed. According to Mutio, his appointment should take over from the current acting VC, Prof. Rosebella Maranga, who took over on January 17, immediately after following the interview rankings presented by the Public Service Commission.
Two months ago, disputes over appointments had forced the Public Service Head Felix Koskei to intervene by replying to Mutio’s complains. He appreciated the raised issues in a letter dated May 30 and consulted with CS Machogu for the way forward. He told Mutio to liaise with the Ministry of Education when necessary.
Dr. Abdi Mohammed, a Nairobi-based educational consultant, also noted that the delay had a negative implication. He said that more delays would result in stakeholders getting more anxious, as is the situation now. “Why the delay whereas the PSC conducted interviews, ranked the candidates basing on their qualifications?” Dr. Abdi posed.
The announcement of Dr. Kochei is welcomed as a positive move to reallocate leadership issues at MMU, and stakeholders are now yearningly waiting for the speedy appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor to set operations right and offer stability in the university.