Information Sciences gets new leaders

The School of Information Sciences earlier this week ushered in a new era of leadership, following the appointment of a new dean amid the election of new leaders for its students’ association.

Professor Justus Wamukoya was appointed new dean of the school after a successful oral interview by the university administration and is therefore set to oversee its operation for the next three calendar years. Other candidates who also appeared before the interviewing panel were the outgoing dean Prof. Japheth Otike who wanted to extend his reigning term, H.O.D Publishing and Media Studies Dr. Emily Kogos and H.O.D Information Technology Prof. Gichoya.

The official handing over meeting took place on Monday and was attended by the outgoing dean Prof. Otike, two former deans Prof. Daniel Rotich and Prof. Cephas Odini, lecturers and other non-teaching staff members of the school.

Prof. Wamukoya took over the post on the day Moi University Information Sciences Students Association (MUISSA) held its elections for a new executive committee. This came just a few days after he was appointed as the Information Sciences coordinator of Moi University Nairobi Campus, a position he later declined.

MUISSA Elections

The school’s association conducted its elections on Monday in a bid to acquire a committee that will occupy the executive office for the current 2014/2015 academic year that will probably end in February next year. All the elective positions were open for contesting to all groups currently in session, regardless of one’s year of study.

Students voting in the School of Information Sciences

However, the exercise suffered a low turnout, with only 399 students showing up to cast their votes out of a possible 666, the worst being fourth years. The election itself was less competitive, with four positions lacking ballot boxes due to the presence of a single aspirant in each and therefore automatic wins. All the remaining posts attracted only two candidates each. The top-most seat – Chairperson – had three aspirants until one of them stepped down late. William Decker gave up the race at the last minute but still appeared in the ballot papers, reaping a total of 24 votes

The new executive committee (from the ballot)

1.      Chairperson – Robert Ghai

2.      Secretary General – Kennedy Makokha

3.      Treasurer – Philipine Cheptanui

4.      Projects Coordinator – Karl Kipruto

5.      Resource Centre Manager – Christine Murithi

6.      Public Relations Officer – Anastacia Leting