Prof. Mbithi: I Deserve a Second Term as UoN VC

“The university has registered commendable gains under my leadership. This bears testament to the resilience and innovation of the university and by default, its management,” Mbithi said in the seven-page letter to the UoN Council.

“If reappointed, I will continue to work closely with the Council to catapult the university onto a higher trajectory to scholarly excellence,” he added.

Current University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor has written to the council seeking a second term despite the student’s and lecturer’s rants that he resign. In a letter addressed to council chairperson Julia Ojiambo on May 19th, Prof Mbithi outlined several achievements during his first term.

Mbithi goes on to say that the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has achieved nothing, and has accused him of spending Sh20 million on furniture for his office when the institution is in “financial distress”. However, UASU UON chapter secretary George Omondi said the university is bankrupt because of Prof Mbithi’s incompetence and claimed that he was intimidating lecturers to support his push to have his contract extended.

The VC was appointed on December 1, 2014 replacing Prof. George Magoha and took up the position on January 6, 2015 for a five-year term that ends in January next year. The law requires that vice-chancellors state in writing to the council their interest in being reappointed at least six months before the expiry of a running contract. “I, therefore, take this opportunity to convey my interest and willingness to be considered for reappointment for a second and final term as the Vice-chancellor of the University of Nairobi,” he said in the letter.

Prof Mbithi says during his term the university has made an improvement in its global ranking, which saw it move from the ninth position in Africa in 2014 (1,167 in the world) to fifth in Africa (621 in the world). He added that this leap in rankings is remarkable and confirms the management’s commitment to being the best university in Africa within the next five years. Other achievements include the recently completed and occupied first phase of the Wangari Maathai campus, the university tower and the UON Confucius Institute.

Prof Mbithi said if reappointed, he will continue to work with the council to propel the university to greater heights of scholarly excellence.