Staff resistance to change to blame for closure of University of Eldoret

Disagreement at the University of Eldoret that led to its closure in February this year was caused by staff who are resisting change, the University council Chairman has said.

The council chairman Prof Sarone Ole Sena told National Assembly’s Education Committee chaired by Sabina Chege that, the locals and local leaders desiring to localise a public University was also another reason for the unrest.

“To address this resistance, the council has advised the management to organise for an organizational culture change seminar targeting all staff,” said Prof Ole Sena.

He said that due to long history of the University of Eldoret existence, certain habits and ways of doing things had taken root at the University but which are not productive.

“Since 2013 the council has approved about 26 policies that are being implemented by management. 
Through these policies a new way of doing things is emerging at the University and this is causing discomfort to especially staff who are evidently resisting change,” Prof Ole Sena told the committee.

The council chairman was accompanied by Vice-chancellor Prof Teresa Akenga and several council members.

He said that staff at the University are recruited competitively in accordance with human resource policy and criteria on appointment and promotion of academic staff.

“Students are admitted from all corners of the country without regard to their ethnic background and in accordance with the University's statutes and guidelines from the Commission of University education,” said the council chairman.

He told the committee that the council has requested the Kenya National Audit office to conduct independent investigations on alleged procurement practices at the University. Prof Ole Sena said a culprit who master-minded the alteration of marks of students is still at large and the police are still pursuing him.

During the alteration, 163 students who were to graduate last year, had their results cancelled to allow more time for investigation.

“An audit report tabled before the management in 2013 indicated that Mr Nathan Kemboi the then Salaries accountant, had not accounted for 68 imprests totalling to Sh27.2million,” he told the committee.

He said that in May 2014, when the matter came to the attention of the Audit and risk management committee of the council, Mr Kemboi had accounted for 51 imprests totalling to Sh7.8million.

“On June 14 2014, in its 11th meeting, the council resolved that the matter be handled in accordance with Finance policy and disciplinary procedures of the University. Mr Kemboi later accounted for some of the imprest leaving a balance of Sh3.8million at the time of his suspension,” said Prof Sena.

The Committee adjourned its siting in order to allow members to participate in debate at the National Assembly as well as give them time to study the document tabled by the University.

He said that the chancellor and the chairman of the council have also met with the leadership of Uasin Gishu County and plan to have several other meetings with the view to resolving any existing or perceived disagreements.

“The University’s communication policy is in its formative stage,” said Prof Sena.

Reference : www.nation.co.ke