By The Weekly Vision Team
Catholic Archbishop Emeritus Zacchaeus Okoth has stepped down as the head of Uzima University after serving for over a decade. After twelve years of leadership at the medical institution, Okoth, the founding chancellor, passed the mantle to distinguished scholar Professor Oyuko Mbeche. Prof. Mbeche, who is also the chairman of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA), now assumes the role of the university’s second chancellor.
The transition was announced by the outgoing chancellor during an official ceremony, following approval by the university’s council. Before his role at KERRA, Prof. Mbeche, a civil engineer with expertise in transportation and planning, served as a senior lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Nairobi. During the academic convocation, Archbishop Okoth stated that the transition was in line with guidelines set by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Despite stepping down, the retired clergyman will continue to serve on the university’s council as its sponsor and founder. In his acceptance speech, Prof. Mbeche expressed surprise at the appointment but committed to guiding the university toward further growth.
“This appointment came as a surprise. I never expected to one day become the chancellor of this university,” he said. “Even though I am an engineer by profession, I will do my best to lead a university focused solely on medical courses.”
The university also announced a series of promotions to full and associate professorships. Archbishop Emeritus Okoth highlighted that these promotions adhered strictly to the CUE’s established procedures. “These promotions will enhance the quality of the university’s programs,” he noted.
Founded in August 2012, Uzima University is a prominent institution in Kenya, specialising in medical education.
