Some Eldoret residents have expressed regret to former Vice Chancellor Laban Ayiro for his inconsiderate dismissal on the Moi University main campus.
Social media users watched a video from Monday, September 27, in which community leader Richard Tarus praised Ayiro as the best leader Moi University had ever seen.
Tarus formally apologised on behalf of the people, saying he was sorry his abilities were overlooked while he was in office.
“I want to apologize on behalf of the locals to Laban Ayiro. He was the right person to be elected as Moi University’s Vice-Chancellor. We ask for forgiveness without any fear,” said Tarus.’
After being named acting vice chancellor (VC) in 2015 by Fred Matiang’i, the cabinet secretary for education at the time, Ayiro encountered difficulties in his three-year tenure that followed.
Leaders from the North Rift region, such as Senator Jackson Mandago, MP Oscar Sudi, and former Elgeyo Marakwet governor Alex Tolgos, opposed Ayiro’s appointment and supported Prof. Isaac Kosgey.
Surprisingly, these same residents are now demanding the resignation of Isaac Kosgey, the current VC, due to claims of subpar administration and leadership at the university.
A group of angry locals from the Kesses area of Uasin Gishu gathered at the main entrance of Moi University demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor for what they called poor leadership and an apology to former VC Laban Ayiro.
“Our children who are employed here as casuals are not given permanent jobs while he employs his own on a permanent basis. He also took our Sh3 million maize mill, we used to have a MUSCO bank for Moi University, where is it?” One of the Kesses residents lamented.
The protesters said they were not benefiting from the facility even though it was in their community.
“There was a maize mill here that used to help the university in value addition. The mill also used to help the local community who used to take their maize to the university mill. Now we suspect that he has sold the mill so that they can lease the farm,” another demonstrator lamented.
The protesters later went to the Kesses Sub-County Commissioner’s office to present their petition. On receiving the petition, Kesses Deputy County Commissioner Lilian Langat said she would pass on the concerns through the appropriate channels.
In 2019, Ayiro took a job as VC at Daystar University after departing Moi University.
Ayiro also received recognition on November 24 at the Uongozi Awards for Best Vice Chancellor in Kenya.
Along with Daystar University’s designation as the most favored university at the East African Employability Summit and Career Awards 2022–2023, he expressed his gratitude on Facebook.
“I am incredibly humbled and grateful to God for receiving the Vice-Chancellor of the Year 2023 award from the Uongozi Awards! According to Ayiro, Daystar University was named the most favored college or university at the East African Employability Summit and Career Awards 2022–2023.
