This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
University of Nairobi staff were left in a state of uncertainty on Monday, July 8, 2019, as more than 100 of them were reshuffled on the first day of the newly appointed acting vice-chancellor, Prof Isaac Mbeche.
Prof Mbeche took over from Prof Peter Mbithi on Friday, July 5, 2019, after the latter's bid for a second term was rejected by the university council.
Staff members told The Nation that the mass transfers were believed to have been effected by Prof Mbeche in a move meant to delink Prof Mbithi from the university's affairs.
Prof Mbithi had been accused of corruption, abuse of office, incompetence, and running down the university by the Universities Academic Staff Union-Nairobi chapter (Uasu), who demanded he resigns or be forced out of office.
Uasu accused Prof Mbithi of buying furniture and equipment for his office worth Sh20 million without complying with procurement rules and constructing a private home in Karen, Nairobi using university vehicles, labour, and materials.
However, Prof Mbithi denied all allegations, insisting the accusations were based on malice and that the university was financially sound.
“I am leaving with my head high because in my tenure, the university has achieved a lot,” said Prof Mbithi.
