Skip to main content

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA.

Moi University is witnessing a smooth and promising academic semester, with significant reforms being implemented under the leadership of Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kotut. This comes after the former VC, Prof. Kosgey, was sent on an eight-month compulsory leave.

The recent leadership changes have sparked optimism across the university. Prof. Kotut’s first major act was to chair a special consultative meeting with staff, where they were given a chance to voice their concerns and propose solutions to improve the university. Prof. Khaemba Ongeti, appointed Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Research, Extension, and Student Affairs, also assumed his new role. Prof. Ongeti is a highly experienced academic leader, previously serving as Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Research, and Innovation at Moi University.
         Prof .Ongeti shakes hand with  VC Prof. Kutut

The leadership changes were welcomed by the university’s council. Council Chairperson Prof. Noah Midamba described them as part of a broader strategy to restore Moi University’s position as a top academic institution in the country.
“The reforms are a deliberate effort to transform Moi University and position it back at the forefront of academic excellence,” said Prof. Midamba.

Prof. Kotut’s Leadership and Plans for the Future
Prof. Kotut, an academic leader with more than three decades of experience, was previously the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, Research, and Extension at Embu University. He has also held senior positions at Kenyatta University, where he rose from Graduate Assistant in 1989 to Associate Professor and Dean of the School of Pure and Applied Sciences. His leadership is expected to bring positive changes to the university, addressing various issues that have hindered progress in the past.

“We are optimistic about his leadership and believe he will steer this institution in the right direction,” remarked a senior faculty member.
Since taking office, Prof. Kotut has focused on addressing leadership disputes, mismanagement of funds, and stalled development projects that have plagued the institution. One of his key initiatives is the renovation and re-tarmacking of the road from the old gate to the campus roundabout. This long-awaited project has been well-received by students and staff, as the university’s infrastructure had been in dire need of improvement.
          Renovation of the highway in progress

Misuse of funds and mismanagement have long been a concern at Moi University, prompting several visits by Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Ogamba. These visits led to the decision to appoint a new Vice-Chancellor to help transform the institution. Prof. Kotut’s appointment is seen as a step toward addressing these issues and improving the university’s reputation

Academic Reforms set In
Under Prof. Kotut’s leadership, Moi University is already taking steps to resolve long-standing academic issues. One of the key challenges facing the university has been the issue of missing marks, which has caused frustration among students for years. Currently, students are sitting for their Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs), and the administration has promised to address any future incidences of missing marks.
The School of Information Sciences has already led the way by uploading updated transcripts for its students. This move demonstrates the administration’s commitment to ensuring that every student receives their rightful grades and that academic records are properly maintained.
“We understand the frustrations that come with missing marks. Moving forward, we are determined to ensure every student receives their rightful grades,” said Dr. Edwin Talaam, Chair of the Department at the School of Information Sciences.
Prof. Kotut has also made it clear that he is committed to upholding academic integrity. The university has taken steps to curb exam malpractice, which has been a recurring issue in the past. Dr. Talaam emphasized that any student found engaging in dishonest practices during exams will face strict consequences.
“We are committed to upholding academic integrity. Any student found engaging in dishonest practices will face the full wrath of justice,” he warned.students writing an examination in the students center 

Financial Concerns Persist
Despite these positive changes, concerns over rising tuition fees and the funding model used by the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) continue to affect students. Many students feel that the current financial structure is unfair, especially for those who are categorized under lower funding brackets. These students fear that the rising fees may hinder their ability to continue their studies.
"The fees are too high for some of us who come from humble backgrounds. The government needs to review its funding model to ensure fairness," said a second-year student.
The government has been urged to review the funding model to ensure that all students are given equal access to higher education, regardless of their financial background. Many students hope that these concerns will be addressed in the coming months, as Prof. Kotut’s administration continues its efforts to improve the university’s financial and academic systems.

The future is Luminous 
As Moi University moves forward under Prof. Kotut’s leadership, there is cautious optimism among both staff and students that these reforms will lead to positive outcomes. The leadership changes, combined with the commitment to resolving academic and financial challenges, are seen as a step in the right direction. Many hope that these reforms will restore Moi University’s reputation as a leading academic institution in Kenya.

Prof. Kotut’s leadership is expected to foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and academic excellence. With ongoing improvements in infrastructure, academic systems, and student welfare, the university is on a path toward regaining its status as one of the top universities in the country.

As Moi University navigates this transformative phase, students, staff, and alumni are hopeful that these changes will ensure that the institution becomes a beacon of higher learning once again. Prof. Kotut, along with Prof. Ongeti, is expected to play a key role in driving the university toward greater success in the years ahead.


Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for reading The Powel's Journal, This is the Insightful Hub. We appreciate your comments and feedback.

Karibu Tena

Popular posts from this blog

Raised Not to Cry: Mental Health and The Emotional Cost of Masculinity

    Growing up I rarely saw men cry, not my father, not my uncles and not even the boys I used to play Lifundo with. I even remember  vividly that bad afternoon back in kindergarten when my boys decided to show me what learning in a village public primary school looked like.  That particular afternoon just before being served porridge and singing “ … saasa ni sa siita Mwalimu kwaheeri…” something unusual happened, I must first admit that in my childhood I was different, the common smiles and wordiness I have today, just caught up with me in puberty the other day, so on that afternoon I got attacked, attacked with these village bullies that will without any reason throw down a stick and declare,  “...kama wewe ni mwanaume ruka unipige…” Meaning, “...if you are a man enough cross to this side and touch me..” crossing over the stick meant you just trespassed into someone's territory aiming to bring violence of which you either had  the energy to fight them ...

DOES YOUR MOTHER REALLY KNOW THAT YOU'RE MARRIED?

I know you'll say jealousy has taken a better part of me but let me ask you, does your mother really know that you’re married? Does she even know that you’ve been cohabiting in that campus bedsitter for the past four years, raising a love baby made of borrowed cooking oil, endless sleepovers, and whispers of “babe, uko na class leo?” Happy moments of campus dating  You see, campus dating has evolved. It’s no longer just about holding hands in the corridors or campus highways and probably hanging out during weekends. Initially Fridays were known for girls to change environment, I mean taking a charger and a sweater then leaving their cubes in hostels to somebody else's room for the weekend. Today, some of the comrades are running full-blown “marriages” in the name of companionship. And the funniest part? Both broke, jobless, and sharing a mattress that has seen better days but somehow convinced that love reigns. Anyway, how do you feel now that your parents a...

Why You Should Stop Buying and Start Growing Your Own Groceries

It is my habit that whenever I'm chopping tomatoes, I throw that last piece into my mouth. This Thursday was no different, but guess what… Something unusual happened. The moment I bit into it, the smell hit me so hard, I froze. I thought I had chewed a tomato soaked in paraffin. It was that strong. I froze because It felt like I had tasted a mix of chemicals that had no business being in food at all. Just before you imagine this was my first shock, it was not. Not long ago I bought six bananas from my mama mboga , yes, six! My obsession with this fruit sometimes makes me wonder whether I belong closer to the monkey family or the human one. So there I was, excited about this perfectly yellow banana but inside, instead of the soft sweet flesh, I found something hard and dry like a maize cob . Later I learned the science behind it. Farmers sometimes use ripening chemicals to force bananas to yellow overnight instead of allowing the natural three to four days that involves storing the...