Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has appointed ex-Nasa chief executive Norman Magaya as its chief legal officer.
The university management on Wednesday briefed the council about engagement of Magaya who reported two weeks ago.
Magaya was instrumental in the Nasa petition that challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election at the Supreme Court following the disputed presidential results in 2017.
He was appointed a month ago by the Wiper Democratic party as a political advisor on coalition building as well as party management.
It remains to be seen how Magaya will work for both the university as well as a political advisor for Wiper as clock ticks to the 2022 General Election.
He had been in and out of hospital since December 2017 elections when he suffered a heart attack.
MMUST University Academic Staff Union chairman Dr Jairus Odawa said he was not aware of Magaya’s employment.
“I am aware that candidates were interviewed but I don’t know who was hired,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Public Service Commission has shortlisted seven candidates for the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration and Finance for the university.
They are professors Philip Odour, Donald Otieno, Charles Mutai, Ruth Chelagat, Jacob Kipkemboi, Maurice M Mwamburi and John Thuo.
They will be interviewed on Wednesday at the commission headquarters.
The candidates will be required to present clearance certificates from Kenya Revenue Authority, Higher Education Loans Board, CRB, DCI, EACC and recommendation from relevant professional bodies and associates.
Members of the public have been invited file any credible information of interest relating to any of the shortlisted candidates on oath.
PSC has restarted the delayed hiring of a vice chancellor and deputy vice chancellors for MMUST against an active court case.
The commission interviewed candidates for the university VC, DVC Academic and Students Affairs and DVC Planning, Research and Innovation between August 10 and 13.
Among those interviewed for the position of VC are acting VC Prof Solomon Shibairo, Eng Prof Sibilikhe Makhanu, Prof Joseph Chacha, Prof Kenneth Simala, Prof Mary Avukutsa, Prof Peter Mwita and Prof Paul Shuindu.
Professors Fredrick Wanyama, Kenneth Simala, Maurice Omolo, Margaret Oloko, Samson Okuro, Ezekiel Kiptoo, Peter Barasa, Francis Ndiritu, Hussein Golicha, Adema Palapala, Jonah Kindimi and Adu Makokha have been interviewed for the position of DVC Academic and Students' Affairs.
Professors Leah Wati, Paul Wambua, Fredrick Odhiambo, Vicky Khasandi, Grace Cherotich, Michael Lomuruka, Joshua Ogendo, Charles Mutai, Hassan Karakacha, Bernard Odhiambo, Levi Mugalavai and Collins Ouma were interviewed to fill the position of DVC Planning, Research and Innovation.
All the four positions are currently held in acting capacity.
The institution has remained without substantive leadership for 32 months now following expiry of the term of office of former VC Prof Frederick Otieno (dead) in November 2018.
Efforts to fill the vacancies have been dogged with court cases until recently.
The government has initiated the process to revert the mandate to recruit universities' managers from PSC to a selection panel to be constituted by the Education CS.
National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya has moved amendments to the Universities Act to give Education CS sweeping powers on the running of institutions of higher learning.
-Edited by SKanyara