UoN appoints team to spearhead surrender of Kenya Science campus
The University of Nairobi has finally appointed a seven-member team to spearhead the surrender of its Kenya Science Campus to the government setting stage for conclusion of the exercise that has been riddled with protest.
Council Chairman Idle Farah has submitted the seven names to Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
“At the 126th meeting of University council held on October 31 2016, council noted that you had invited the University of Nairobi to forward the names of representatives of the university to the multi-sectoral taskforce which would manage the surrender of Kenya science campus,” said Dr Farah in a letter to Dr Matiang’i dated November 24.
The council nominated Prof Isaac Mbeche, Deputy Vice chancellor administration and finance and Prof Horance Ochanda Deputy, Principal, Kenya science Campus as part of team.
LEGAL OFFICER
Others nominated to the team are George Omondi (University Staff academic Union (Secretary General), Ms Angel Mbuthia Vice-chair , Students organization of Nairobi University( SONU), Bernard Waweru academic registrar, Tim Mwesekli Chief legal officer and Fredrick Collins Omondi senior legal officer.
“The names represent the various stakeholders in the university,” stated the council in its letter to the CS.
Dr Matiang’i had in a letter to Dr Farah dated September 9, indicated that the university should surrender the facility to Kenya Technical Trainers College (KTTC) by December 1 adding that the decision to relocate KTTC was strategic.
University of Nairobi has since been allocated Sh12 billion by the government to set up similar facility which it argues will take five years.
The Commission on administrative Justice (CAJ) has recommended a halt on the plan but has been criticized by Dr Matiang’i for addressing the issues at hand in a prejudicial and “totally out of context”.
INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS
The government is turning the 82-acre land of KTTC in Gigiri into a United Nations (UN) Complex insisting that it is honouring its international obligations and commitments to the UN by granting them the land to cater for the expansion of the Complex in Kenya.
“The decision is also pursuant to various constitutional values and principles on economical and efficient application of public resources in a matter that best protects the overall interests of the Kenyans public,” says the Cabinet Secretary.
However, CAJ Chairman Otiende Amollo said the government would be in breach of the law if it allows the transfer of KTTC premises to UN.
“We note with concern that if that is the case, then the government will be in breach of the law that govern public land. The regime of acquiring public land is clear: it is held in trust by the national or county government and transferred with the approval of the National Land Commission. Beyond issues of transfer, there is need to compensate those affected,” said Mr Amollo.
Dr Matiang’i says the two entities are government institutions and appropriate notices have been issued to the University of Nairobi and the KTTC.
