CUE boss David Some takes leave ahead of retirement

Commission for University Education chief executive officer David Some has taken leave ahead of his retirement in September setting stage for recruitment of a new boss.

Prof Walter Oyawa who is Deputy Secretary in charge of administration and finance will hold brief as a new boss is sought.

There are indications at the Commission that an advert calling for applications for a new chief executive officer will be out before the end of the week.

He is required to take six months leave ahead of retirement.

TERMINAL LEAVE

Prof Some confirmed that he will be retiring as from September 4 but did not respond to issue of taking terminal leave.

The Commission that is chaired by Prof Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha will now be expected to bring in an individual who will take forward ongoing reforms in university education following the recent release of a damning report on rot in university education.

The commission has three directorates that is; accreditation, quality audit and standards, planning research and development and administration and finance.

Commissioners who will be tasked with recruiting a new secretary are Lucy Kambuni,  Dr Elizabeth Muli,  Abudo Qonchoro Mamo, Paul Mungai(Education ministry),  Alvin Njuguna(National Treasury) and Prof Some(Commission Secretary).

OUSTING ATTEMPTS

Section 11 of the Universities (amendment) Act says: “A person shall be qualified for appointment as a commission secretary if he or she holds a masters degree from a recognised university in Kenya and also has 10 years’ experience in the management of a university.”

In February last year, Prof Some survived attempts by the commission board  then chaired  by  Prof Henry Thairu to oust him after Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi indicated that proper procedure was not followed to sack him.

The commission’s board had accused Prof Some of incompetence in discharging his duties.

NO LEADERSHIP

“I have read the report on the performance of the CEO, with which I concur. However, while I fully understand your desire for immediate action, given that the review raised grave issues on the performance of the CEO, due process must be followed,” said the Cabinet secretary, in a letter dated January 13 2016.

According to a letter to the CS by Prof Thairu, dated December 21, 2015, Prof Some had failed to provide leadership in line with objectives given.

The commission board had also cited dismal performance as assessed by the commission and an independent consulting firm, Africa Corporate Governance Advisory Services Limited.

The CEO had also been accused of failing to discharge the commission’s core mandate on quality assurance.

Prof Some, however, denied the allegations, saying no one has put forward the allegations to him.

The first secretary of the commission was former University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Prof Joseph Mungai, Justin Irina was second.

Other appointed CUE secretaries included Prof Crispus Kiamba (UoN) and Prof Everett Standa (Kenyatta University).