Nairobi — He walked into State House with the prestigious title of vice-chancellor, but walked out of the President's official abode wearing a different hat -- that of director general of then little-known National Environmental Management Authority.

Prof Ratemo Michieka, the man who for 13 years built the science-leaning Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology into one of the most refined institutions in Africa, has for the first time spoken of his removal as VC on the eve of a graduation ceremony.

Prof Michieka, now back as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, where he left in 1989 on a leave of absence, had visited President Kibaki at State House to brief him on plans for the graduation ceremony. It was April 25, 2003.

President Kibaki was to be awarded an honorary degree at the university. Before seeing the President, he had a hearty chat with the head of Public Service Francis Muthaura and State House Comptroller Matere Keriri.

"We ended up seeing the President at the same time with (Mr) Keriri and discussed the graduation ceremony scheduled for the following day.

"It was at this point that we discussed the possibility of a new assignment for me in the environment sector, to become director general for Nema."

The President endorsed the proposal after an intense discussion, Prof Michieka says in his autobiography published this year.

It is titled Back to the Future: An Autobiography of a Distinguished Kenyan Scholar, Vice-Chancellor and Director General.

"He commended me for the excellent work I had done at JKUAT and wanted me to take up Nema and try to bring order and sanity to our deteriorating environment.

Mr Muthaura was told to implement the decision, although his speedy announcement of the transfer seems not to have impressed Prof Michieka. "The announcement of my new posting to Nema came unexpectedly early."

Prof Michieka said the announcement was made over the radio four hours after he left State House.

"It was a good surprise but a fast one, which put me in total disarray for a while," the book says.

Prof Michieka said he had to compose himself that evening to proceed with plans for the graduation that was taking place the next day. He changed his citation and speech.

He said many calls came to him that evening asking what might happen to the graduation ceremony and why the transfer had been made.

Some people asked him whether the graduation would be "mine or my successor's".

Prof Nick Wanjohi was appointed vice-chancellor through the 7 o'clock news.

In February 2006, the government terminated Prof Michieka's contract at Nema, although the book does not mention what prompted the controversial nature of his exit.

He returned to teach at the University of Nairobi where he is a lecturer of weed science and environmental pollution.