KU Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina Fired After President Uhuru’s Warning: His Perfect Replacement Leaks Out
The vice-chancellor of Kenyatta University, prof. Paul Wainaina has been fired a few days after President Uhuru Kenyatta had warned that action would be taken against the management of the institute following the dispute over a piece of land that the government allowed for the construction of the World Organization of the healthcare (WHO) Africa regional operational and logistic hub.
Professor Wainaina is said to have opposed the government’s decision to allow WHO to create the hub on the land adjacent to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRH).
During a project inauguration ceremony on Saturday, a visibly agitated Kenyatta president gave a lecture to the university’s management telling them that he knows the land is publicly owned and that they are only the custodians of the property.
The Head of State went on to warn that those who opposed the project would be in health “quickly and very effectively”.
“Some people just don’t seem to understand it. It is not your property. It is public property. You are just a keeper. And when you recognize that, and you also recognize the approach of the entire government. Then you also acknowledge that Kenya has never operated in isolation. Kenya is a respected member of the global community. Furthermore, Kenya throughout its history is recognized as a strong supporter of our multilateral institution, “said Kenyatta.
He added: “Alafu unaenda huko kusema hii shamba ni yako … shamba yako kutoka wapi? Hii ni shamba ya wakenya. Lakini bado nimebaki wiki tatu … we will deal with these people quickly and very effectively. We cannot have people who operate as individuals ”.
Among the high-profile guests at the event was WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.
The university council will unveil the replacement of Professor Wainaina.
According to Prof. Wainaina the idea of handing over some of the land to WHO was not in the best interest of the university as no consultations were carried out.
Kenyatta University and Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital have been involved in a dispute over ownership of the land in question.
On Saturday, President Kenyatta said the government has allocated 30 acres of land adjacent to the KUTRRH and pledged $ 5 million (Ksh.600 million) to operate the hub to facilitate the start of its operations.
He added that the government has also provided WHO with rent-free office space at KUTRRH to house the initial staff of up to 150 officers needed to begin preparations for the hub’s establishment.
“This space has been identified in the KUTRRH Training Research and Innovation (TRIC) building,” said President Kenyatta.
Kenya is one of three African countries selected by WHO to host a logistics hub that will be equipped with emergency medical personnel, raw materials and equipment to support countries with emergencies in East Africa.
Senegal and Nigeria are the other two African countries selected to host WHO hubs which will also be centers of excellence in emergency medical training with a capacity to respond to over 100 crises at a time.
