What Kiama thought was ambition turned out to be poisoned chalice

University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Stephen Kiama. [File, Standard]

It is now emerging that the ousted University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor, Prof Stephen Kiama, fell victim to the five key reforms he championed to transform the institution.

Appointed as Vice-Chancellor in January 2020 by the Public Service Commission, Kiama’s first five-year term was scheduled to expire in January 2025.

However, in a letter to the university community on Monday, the University of Nairobi Council announced that Prof Kiama’s employment as a staff member had been terminated.

The decision marks a dramatic turn in a long-standing power struggle that has exposed deep divisions in the governance of Kenya’s premier public university.

Nonetheless, The Standard has established that Prof Kiama has appealed his dismissal.

Kiama’s removal follows a tumultuous four-year tenure, during which he repeatedly clashed with the university’s governing council over issues ranging from leadership style to university reforms.

Initially hailed as a reformer who would address the university’s growing financial challenges, his administration quickly became mired in controversy, primarily stemming from internal battles with the council, which ultimately led to his sacking.

In his five-point agenda, Kiama aimed to streamline the finance systems, develop a data management system, review the curriculum, re-examine governance structures, and tap into the university’s talent pool.

The reforms, he argued, would open the institution’s doors beyond Kenya’s borders, creating a strong edu-tourism sector to attract international students, scholars, innovators, and industry.

“I promised to provide leadership and initiate reforms that will make our university great through relevance and impact... We are at a critical stage where change in the way we conduct our business is inevitable,” Kiama said in an address to the university in August 2020.

But these reforms were not without controversy. On Wednesday, his ouster sparked outcry, with Members of Parliament alleging a witch hunt.

In a statement signed by John Kaguchia (MP, Mukurweini) and Geoffrey Wandeto (MP, Tetu), the lawmakers condemned the move, calling it “unfair” and “a mockery of justice.”

The MPs demanded that Prof Kiama be immediately and unconditionally reinstated to complete his term.

“Prof Kiama’s performance as Vice-Chancellor has been rigorously evaluated by previous University Councils. He achieved excellent scores of 96.24 per cent and 96.40 per cent for the financial years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021,” the statement read.

The duo claimed Kiama was forced out to pave the way for control of the university’s assets, particularly “land and proposed long-term land leases” involving the university’s prime property.

“This is clearly a witch hunt and begs the question: are there things the University Council is planning and determined to implement in which the good professor is not keen?” the MPs wrote.

From the outset, Kiama’s tenure was fraught with difficulties. His appointment in January 2020 faced opposition from key figures, including the former Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, which led to legal battles that persisted throughout his term.

His troubles resurfaced in August 2023 when he sought to take a six-month leave.

However, less than three weeks after going on leave, Prof Kiama wrote to the University Council expressing his intention to return to work, but the council denied his request.

The disagreement was further fuelled by a September 2023 circular issued by the Head of Public Service.

It mandated that all government officials, including university staff, to exhaust their leave days without accruing them for cash compensation. Kiama’s failure to comply with this directive became a focal point of contention between him and the UoN council.

These power struggles culminated in Kiama’s dismissal, with the council citing governance issues, his failure to comply with leave directives, and increasing insubordination.

One of Kiama’s most polarising decisions was the substantial increase in tuition fees, particularly for postgraduate and self-sponsored students, which triggered student protests.

Faced with a university struggling under financial strain, Kiama, in a previous interview, stated that the decision to raise fees was aimed at increasing revenue.

The increase in fees also came alongside the closure of certain offices and administrative positions.

The restructuring included a reorganisation of the administrative structure, reducing the number of colleges from 35 to 11.

Additionally, five offices of deputy vice-chancellors were abolished, replaced by two positions of associate vice-chancellors.

However, in July 2021, then Education CS George Magoha halted the restructuring, asking the university to provide a justification for the proposed changes.

In a letter to university vice-chancellors and principals of constituent colleges, Magoha stated that “any action on the proposed changes should be suspended pending the relevant approvals and/or gazettement of the necessary instruments”.

The letter, dated July 14, 2021, further cautioned that the communication superseded any other prior communications on the matter.

In his reform plan, Kiama stated he would integrate industry into the university’s teaching and research, identify and celebrate talents and achievements, exploit intangible assets through commercialisation, and ensure the university attracts, supports, and retains outstanding staff and students.

Despite these challenges, Kiama’s reforms did achieve some notable successes.

He secured over Sh1 billion from donors and well-wishers, which helped stabilise the university’s finances and fund research initiatives.

On Wednesday, students and faculty expressed mixed reactions to Kiama’s removal.

Ngetich Soi, the University of Nairobi Student Association (UNSA) chief of staff, said on Wednesday that Kiama’s exit marks the start of a new chapter for the institution to address underlying issues.

“The university needs consistent leadership to move forward,” he said.