Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli. Masinde Muliro University will not award him a honorary doctorate as planned. [PHOTO/nation]
Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli is not a happy man after Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) removed his name from the graduation list.
Atwoli was set to be honoured with a Doctorate in Labour Relations honorary degree this Friday during the institution's 12th annual graduation ceremony in recognition of his role played as head of the labour movement in Kenya.
Speaking on Sunday during a function at the Eshimbi ACK Church in Butere, Atwoli pointed fingers at political forces for compelling the university to rescind its decision.
“The university senate decided to pick me for the award. I was excited when I received the communication but the university has been forced to cancel the plan,” he said.
His sentiments have been shared by Kenya National Union of teachers (Knut) Secretary General Wilson Sossion who pointed fingers at Education CS Fred Matiang'i accusing him of politicising the education exercise.
“It is really disturbing for the Ministry of Education, which is charged with the responsibility of protecting educational institutions’ (right) to operate independently, to interfere with the day-to-day running of universities," he said.
“I post my disappointment at the move taken by (CS Matiang’i) to cancel the scheduled conferment of the award to Mr Atwoli. In the same breath, I join other Kenyans...to demand...that Mr Atwoli be honoured as approved by the university council and senate come December 15.”