‘KARIBU UMEFIKA’ declares the bold red writing on a raised sign post at the main gate to Moi University main campus. The street leading into the institution is tarmacked with a neat line of trees along each side. The scenery is naturally green with large green fields dotted with trees of various species. Such ambiance creates a sense of unique serenity akin to a popular picnic site.

This stretch of tarmac is interrupted by a junction that branches to the left leading one straight to the administration block. If juxtaposed with State House one would mistake the two for twins. It is no wonder that the administration block of the second public university established in Kenya in 1984 and named after the second president of Kenya takes on a similar design of the official residence the former head of state once occupied in Nairobi when this university was established.

On the second floor of this deceptively peaceful building lies the Vice Chancellor’s office which the outgoing VC Prof. Richard Mibey has occupied since 2006. Things have taken a dramatic twist since the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Dr. Fred Matiang’i appointed Prof. Laban Ayiro as the acting VC. The office has turned into a kiln with key politicians in the region demanding for revocation of the appointment and subsequent ascension of ‘one of them’ to the post.

These turn of events sharply contrasts with the days when Prof. David Some was the VC. He was replaced by Prof. Mibey in a peaceful transition that attracted little attention. At this time one wasn’t reminded of which part of Kenya they came from. Students lived as one and the student union had a fine blend of leaders from various parts of Kenya. This university was fondly referred to as ‘the university with a difference’. This difference isn’t difficult for one to notice.

The campus is deeply set in the middle of a relatively rural background with no major urban center around it. There is one exit towards the nearest town which is about 35 kilometers away. Some time back entrances to some hostels were turned into little markets in the evening. Women sat beside spread out gunny bags or polythene bags carrying different kinds of groceries. Most of them sold sukuma wiki with a few selling indigenous vegetables like terere. Others had a combination of tomatoes, onions and milk; yet some roasted maize on jikos. Life here assumed a relatively calm rhythm without any serious incidents of unrest.

During weekends students lined up the path leading to a small waterfall for relaxation. Some opted to take a walk to the nearby semi slum Chebaiywo market named Mabatini or mabs in short in reference to the many structures constructed using iron sheets. Despite the dusty streets and open fields there was general tranquility as one would stroll about anytime without fear of getting an axe attack.

Flash forward and the nation has been presented with a theatrical confrontation over the leadership of the University that even threatened to disrupt the 32nd Graduation ceremony. Alumnae like Javas Bigambo, Kamau Ngunyi, Peter Okumu, and Bernard Orina among others must be missing their ‘University with a difference.’