Malpractices are some of the
shocking revelations that came to the fore after chaos erupted at the Machakos
University College over alleged mismanagement at the institution of higher
learning.
The revelation adds a new dimension
to the mismanagement of the varsity, which has been hit by a “corrosive”
scandal.
Senior academic stakeholders are now
demanding the dismissal of the principal Prof Francis Mathooko, asserting that
his actions have put the survival of the institution at risk.
They revealed that staff cuts at the
university have been based on “inaccurate, misleading” data, and lamented
against the decline in academic research expenditures.
“We believe this direction places
the very survival of the university at risk,” deans said.
Rowdy students went on rampage
alleging nepotism and fishy deals by the top brass.
“Bad governance and corruption are
still the order of the day at this college in Machakos county,” lectures and
students said.
Speaking to Weekly Citizen on a
condition of anonymity, students said the administration has failed to ensure
that the funds of the university are expended on the purpose for which they are
provided.
Students have a long list of
complaints about mismanagement and corruption at the university, including a
recently-exposed scandal involving procurement of goods.
Again, bureaucracy, wastage,
incompetence and irresponsibility by principals are the main problems that have
made colleges fail to achieve their performance.
But according to Prof Mathooko, the
university is in the best financial condition that it has been since he was
posted to head the institution.
Mathooko said the students were
furious following delays to switch on the school generator after a power outage
that was experienced in the whole of Machakos town.
Reports indicate that tear gas
canisters used by police had caused fire to break out in one of the dormitories
and the affected students were forced to spend the night in classrooms.
The embattled principal was
appointed to head the university college with effect from December 30 2013.
Education cabinet secretary Jacob
Kaimenyi made the appointment to replace Prof Godfrey Mse who was serving in an
acting capacity.
Formerly at Seku University,
Mathooko served as a deputy principal academic and student affairs and later as
deputy vice chancellor, academic, research and student affairs.
In May this year, several people
were injured in a stampede in Machakos following a clash between police and
students from the university college.
Anti-riot police engaged students
who had joined their colleagues countrywide to protest against the government’s
supposed plans to increase fees in a running battle that saw several injured.
At one point, they had to shoot in
the air as well as lob teargas canisters to the rowdy students who were hurling
stones at them.
Many of the injured were passersby
who were caught up in the confrontation. Others were mistaken to be students
and were beaten by savage GSU officers
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