Uzima University has appointed Prof. Eng. Simon Oyuko Mbeche as Chancellor after Ach Bishop Emeritus Zacchaeus Okoth stepped down.
The outgoing chancellor made the name public to the university staff and students on Monday as he wished him well in his new assignment.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Mbeche welcomed the appointment, which he described as a surprise.
“I didn’t know one time I will be a chancellor of this university,” he said.
Further, he says he is up to the task as he promised to work with every stakeholder at the institution to make the university a better place.
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Prof. Mbeche is a civil engineer specializing in transportation and planning.
He says that despite being an engineer, he will try his best to fit in at Uzima University, which offers only medical courses.
For 42 years, he says, he was lecturing at the University of Nairobi Civil Engineering department.
“I have dealt with the administration of professors, senior lecturers, lectures and students in engineering, I believe you will teach me what to do and how to adjust to medicine, which is a new reality for me,” he said.
Prof. Mbeche is the current chairperson of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA).
For his part, the University vice-chancellor, Rev. Dr. Cosmas Rhagot, said they are thrilled with the new chancellor's appointment as they look ahead to building the institution to greater heights.
The University has, however, bestowed the outgoing chancellor a new title, Sponsor Founder Chancellor.
However, he made it clear that the promotions will not have an immediate monetary value, noting that the increment in salary will be investigated by the office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Finance, Administration, and Planning.
Uzima University, which opened its door to the students in 2012, focuses on the acquisition of scientific information through medical education and research.
