Leaders faulted for storming Moi varsity

More leaders Friday criticised the storming of Moi University by two governors and three MPs to protest the appointment of a vice chancellor who is not a Kalenjin.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and his Emurua Dikirr counterpart Johanna Ng’eno said the action was wrong as appointments to public offices are made on merit and not tribe.

The two leaders said appointments to public positions should only be made on merit irrespective of where an individual comes from.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos, MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Sila Tiren (Moiben) and James Bett (Kesses) on Tuesday led protests against new acting VC Prof Laban Ayiro.

The leaders had demanded that Prof Isaac Kosgey should have been given the job and not Prof Ayiro.

Pro Ayiro is from Vihiga and Prof Kosgey is from the Kalenjin community.

Education CS Dr Fred Matiang’i, however, told the leaders to ‘grow up’.

He maintained that he followed the law and that the decision will not be revoked.

Governor Ruto said despite the fact that the country had 42 tribes, public service positions were not a preserve of any community.

“The image portrayed by North Rift leaders following the appointment of Prof Ayiro was indeed in bad taste. It should not be entertained whatsoever,” he said Chepalungu constituency, Bomet County, where he attended the Tumoi Day Secondary school’s 10th anniversary.  

The two leaders called on Education CS Fred Matiang’i to be tough and ensure that universities that does not meet the 30 per cent ethnic representation in their management are punished.

“Dr Matiangi should correct the mess we are witnessing in our institutions of higher learning,” said Mr Ng’eno.