Photos of a weeping Kenyatta University vice chancellor Prof Paul Wainaina stirred the nation in July. His job was on the line.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta had bitterly and publicly castigated him for refusing to cede nearly half of university land for a World Health Organization project and to resettle squatters.
Uhuru vowed to deal with Prof Wainaina and the university council “swiftly and effectively”.
The previous week, former Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua had sent the VC three consecutive letters demanding that he surrenders university title deeds to the government.
“This is probably the last time I am talking to you as VC. I understand a new council is being formed,” Wainaina said amid tears while addressing staff.
The former primary school teacher who rose to the peak of academia was hounded out of the office and a new university council appointed.
Prof Wainaina, however, got a reprieve after the High Court reinstated him.
On Thursday, the Star splashed the headline, “Ruto to quash Uhuru’s KU order, council quits”. The report by science editor John Muchangi said:
“President William Ruto is reversing the order by President Uhuru Kenyatta to hive off 410 acres of Kenyatta University land.
“The university council members appointed by the Ministry of Education in July have now resigned, paving the way for the return of the old council that had refused to surrender the land.”
Star veteran editor Joseph Olweny explained that President Ruto’s decision on the KU saga was significant from a news perspective.
“Remember there was displeasure among the KU community that the manner in which the university land was to be excised did not follow procedure,” Olweny said.
“And take into account that the Ruto administration has said they are going to always follow the law.”
New KU council members were appointed on July 13 with land economist Prof Crispus Kiamba as chairman, but they were not gazetted.
“The old council, chaired by Prof Shem Migot-Adholla, may return to office as members whose terms had not lapsed say they were removed illegally,” the Star reported.
President Ruto’s action is the latest reversal of some significant decisions of his predecessor, with whom he bitterly fell out.
On September 13 when he was inaugurated, Ruto immediately appointed six Court of Appeal judges rejected by Uhuru after recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission.
He also restored all operations of the port of Mombasa transferred by Uhuru to Nairobi and Naivasha Inland Container Depots.
