DP Gachagua: Universities should be let to operate independently without harassment

Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua on Friday said that institutions of higher learning should be let to operate independently without being harassed.

Gachagua spoke during the 52 graduation ceremony where more than 5500 graduates were conferred and awarded with various degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Rigathi Gachagua used the opportunity as chief guest to hit out at former President Uhuru Kenyatta over the suspension and harassment of Kenyatta University VC Paul Wainaina over the land.

Prof Wainaina was hounded out of office on August 15 following a series of dramatic developments that stemmed from disputed ownership of a parcel of land adjacent to Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital.

He said that the last regime had planned to grab the land noting that the due process could have been followed.

“This Professor Wainaina did nothing wrong. He was only refusing impunity by the former regime. He wanted the Constitution to be followed. You cannot take university land without following due process,” Gachagua said.

He said that the government, ministry of land and the ministry of education and community representatives will hold meetings in January to resolve the issue.

Gachagua said that the land should be Rightly be shared to Kamae community where the rest will remain with the University management.

The woes between the VC and state started when Prof Wainaina was told to surrender nearly half of Kenyatta University’s land to the state.

Gachagua further said that Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital should be used by the medical students to enhance their skills .

On his part ,Prof Wainaina said that Kenyatta University will continue impacting the education sector through research and technology.

He said that the University is headed on the right direction and the University council is working in unity to ensure that realization of the University objective.

“We will continue in impacting lives by equiping our students with requisite skills needed in the job market,”Prof Wainaina said.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said that the government is ready in supporting institutions of higher learning.

He said that the education system in Kenya is on course while still urging universities in Kenya to invest in research and technology.

“President William Ruto and our deputy Gachagua are ready in supporting institutions of higher learning and we will offer any support needed,”Machogu said .

President William Ruto on Thursday hinted at changing the funding model for public universities, which will see the cash-strapped institutions admit students only based on the government’s ability to support them rather than their performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

Academic staff from various universities a few months ago requested the government to increase funding and save the ailing institutions.