Kisii University starts auditing staff qualifications

Entrance of Kisii University. There is anxiety among the university staff as auditing and verification of academic qualifications of senior staff kicks off after education CS Dr. Fred Matiang'i tasked the governing council to address the recruitment and retention of quality lecturers. (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

Anxiety has gripped Kisii University staff as the institution began verifying academic qualifications of teaching and non-teaching staff.

A month ago, the university council suspended two senior academic staff over what they said was ‘the integrity of certificates awarded by the institution’.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Maurice Amatubi and Registrar Academic Affairs Philip Owino were suspended and replaced with Douglas Shitanda and Tom Nyang’au respectively in acting capacity.

The two are yet to be called to face a committee appointed by the council to investigate their conduct.

The suspensions came amid warnings by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i that the Government will not compromise on quality of education, and cautioned all vice chancellors and councils to follow the law.

“It is either quality or you quit the sector since the commission will carry out its mandate,” he warned.

 Major Shake-Up

On assuming office, Dr Nyang’au began a major shakeup in the academic department but his plans were cut short after a member of the public questioned his academic qualifications.

A senior member of the university administration, who sought anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said a number of individuals in the academic department are likely to lose their jobs if the verification is taken serious.

“This is a process that should be carried out immediately. The university council and the Ministry of Education should move in with speed and get rid of the individuals who hold high offices in our universities with fake academic papers,” said the administrator.

The management also intends to close over six campuses to beat a one-year deadline set by Dr Matiang’i to rescue the institution from closure.

Claims are rife that the university could have hired several non-teaching staff at the expense of academic staff.