University Vice Chancellors. Photo: Standard Media
University management has been questioned for quite a while. The government now says Vice Chancellors who mismanage public universities are in trouble and can be fired before the expiry of their term.
University vice-chancellors are now in trouble as the newly constituted universities councils have been asked all to ensure all VCs are assigned specific performance targets that will be reviewed yearly to determine the fate of top university managers.
Simon Indimuli, head of governance and management services at the state Corporation Advisory Committee said it will not be business as usual anymore.
"Currently, VCs only rely on their service contract. When someone is appointed, they start sleeping on the job until the end of their five-year term. This must stop," Indimuli said.
In addition to the service contract, he insisted that councils should have a session with the Vice Chancellors and sign specific targets that will be agreed on together.
"If the VC says he will generate Sh50 million and he manages Sh10 million, then at the end of the year, you must have a sitting and agree that this is what you pledged to deliver but you did not manage," said Indimuli.
He told a meeting of university councils that a contract of a VCs may be terminated if he or she fails to meet agreed targets.