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University of Nairobi Council Chairman Amukoa Anangwe addresses a past press briefing. [File, Standard]
MPs have recommended for the dissolution of the University of Nairobi council over meddling with management of the institution.
The legislators have also directed the Ministry of Education to provide a report within seven days detailing the actions taken to address the university situation.
The lawmakers have also summoned the Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to respond to the leadership crisis
The National Assembly Committee on Education has blamed the Ministry of Education for failure to address the leadership wrangles at the university.
“We are directing the Ministry of Education to submit a report on the University of Nairobi within seven days. There is clear inertia in the ministry—if we allow more time, we may never get answers. We saw what happened with Moi University, we warned about it, but it still sank. We cannot allow UoN to follow the same path. This committee demands action now," acting committee chair Jerusha Momanyi (Kisii Women Representetive) said.
Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo accused the university council chair of interference in the operations of the institution and making appointments in disregard of the University Act.
“One person, the council chairman (Amukoa Anangwe) is acting as the entire council. In one instance we saw a letter directing for the postponement of the dean election and while the law allows the current dean to continue acting he chose to appoint an acting dean,” Gisairo said.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, warned that the crisis at the university could bring it down on its knees.
“We are telling you the problem—the University of Nairobi council has installed itself as an executive. There has been a silent coup at the university,” he said.
The recommendations by the lawmakers come days after UoN staff threatened to go on strike to demand removal of the council chair.
Through the University Academic Staff Union (Uasu), the lecturers claim that Prof Anangwe has seemingly assumed the role of the Vice Chancellor and taken over key decision-making functions, creating confusion and undermining governance at the institution.
“Prof Anangwe is behaving as if he is the Vice-Chancellor. He has been unilaterally issuing transfer letters, extending staff contracts at his personal whim, and sitting in internal interviews. This blatant overreach is unacceptable,” said Uasu UoN Chapter Secretary Maloba Wekesa.
The lecturers allege that Prof Anangwe has disregarded directives from the Chief of Staff and the Head of Public Service, which outline the separation of powers between the University Council and management.
They argue that his interference has led to mismanagement, with senior university positions now being occupied on an acting basis under his influence.
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“If Prof Anangwe wants to be Vice Chancellor, let him apply for the job instead of usurping roles that are not his. We are calling on the Education Committee of Parliament to censure him, and the Cabinet Secretary must intervene before the situation worsens,” Dr Wekesa said.
The staff have also raised concerns over the alleged existence of a “Chief Operations Officer” position held by Brian Ouma, which they claim is illegal.
Uasu said the Chief Operations Officer position does not exist under the UoN Charter, nor is it recognised by the Public Service Commission.
“The University Council has allowed an illegal position to persist, draining public funds while UoN’s ranking plummets due to bad governance. The Chief Operations Officer position must be revoked immediately,” Wekesa said.
Uasu has warned that if the government fails to address the situation at the university within a week they will down tools.
“We are ready to down our tools if the government does not take action. We will not allow one person to run UoN like a personal kiosk,” Wekesa warned.
The lecturers have called on the Ministry of Education, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and Parliament to intervene and restore order at the university.
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The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
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