Archbishop Emeritus and Founding Chancellor of Uzima University, Zacchaeus Okoth, has stepped down. The University Senate has appointed Prof. Eng. Simon Oyuko Mbeche as his successor.
The outgoing chancellor announced the new appointment to the university staff and students on Monday, extending his best wishes to Prof. Mbeche in his new role.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Mbeche expressed his surprise at the appointment, stating, “I didn’t know one time I will be a chancellor of this university.” Despite his background in civil engineering, specializing in transportation and planning, he is committed to working with all stakeholders to enhance the university.
Prof. Mbeche has a long history of lecturing at the University of Nairobi’s Civil Engineering department, where he served for 42 years. He acknowledged the challenge of transitioning to a university focused solely on medical courses but expressed confidence in his ability to adapt. “I believe you will teach me what to do and how to adjust to medicine, which is a new reality for me,” he said.
Currently, Prof. Mbeche is the chairperson of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA). The Vice Chancellor, Rev. Dr. Cosmas Rhagot, expressed the university’s excitement about the new appointment, looking forward to building the institution to greater heights.
The university has honored the outgoing chancellor with the title of Sponsor Founder Chancellor. Archbishop Emeritus Okoth also approved several promotions to full and associate professorships, emphasizing that these promotions should enhance the quality of the programs. However, he noted that salary increments associated with these promotions would be addressed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Finance, Administration, and Planning.
Uzima University, established in 2012, is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge through medical education and research.