Local Community members around Moi University have revealed that local politicians pushed them against former Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Laban Ayiro who was hounded from office.
A section of the locals made these remarks during a protest against the current VC Prof Isaac Kosgey, on Monday, November 27.
Besides, the protesters called for the removal of Prof Kosgey over claims of mismanagement and poor leadership.
Further, the demonstrators described Prof. Ayiro as a performer adding that local politicians tricked turned them against him.
Politicians Fooled US- Locals
Richard Tarus, a local community leader said political forces were behind the removal of Prof Ayiro.
“We apologize to Prof Ayiro. We were fooled by local politicians to chase him away, yet he was the best performer,” Tarus is quoted by Nation newspaper.
Additionally, some of the locals called for the appointment of a professional as VC arguing that no one has been able fill the gap left by Prof Ayiro.
“Since Prof Ayiro left, we are yet to find another performer like him. We thought that by having one of our own heading the university, it would excel. We are demanding for a professional leader to be appointed as a VC and it is not mandatory that he or she be a Kalenjin,” said Irene Too.
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In addition, the protesters claimed that corruption had become rampant at the institution.
According to the protesters, the university invested millions in apple farming to raise Ksh.80 billion and supplement allocations from the national government.
However, they revealed that the project failed, and few individuals benefited from the funds allocated to the project.
Ayiro Takes over as Moi University VC
In 2016. Prof Ayiro took over the leadership of Moi University as VC in acting capacity for a period of three months.
Again, Prof Ayiro replaced former VC Prof. Richard Mibey whose two terms ended that year.
Then Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi had defended the appointment of Prof Ayiro which was opposed by a section of leaders from the Rift Valley region.
In his defense, Dr. Matiangi said he followed the law in the whole appointment process.
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Led by Uasin Gishu former Governor Jackson Mandago his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos, MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Silas Tiren (Moiben), James Bett (Kesses) and Isaac Terer Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker threatened to disrupt the graduation ceremony that year if Kosgei is not appointed as VC.
Also, the leaders argued that Matiangi made a mistake appointing an acting VC when the university council concluded the process of recruiting a new VC and forwarded to him names of three individuals.
Additionally, the politicians stated that an “outsider” had been appointed to the helm of the Eldoret-based university.
Later, CS Matiangi extended Prof Ayiro’s term, he served until March 2018 when Prof Kosgey took over.
Since being hounded out at Moi, Ayiro has found success at the private Daystar University.
He was appointed as Vice Chancellor of Daystar in February 2019, less than a year after he exited Moi University.
