Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revoked the appointment of Prof Amukoa Anangwe as the chairperson of the University of Nairobi Council.
Ogamba said in a gazette notice the changes take place effective February 21, 2025.
Earlier this week, the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) issued a seven-day strike notice to the University of Nairobi (UoN), demanding the immediate disbandment of the university council over claims of mismanagement and looting.
The union led by its chairperson, Dr Richard Bosire, called for the removal of University Council Chairperson Amukoa Anangwe, whom they accused of sabotaging operations.
“We shall stop all activity at the university in seven days.
The University of Nairobi is dying because of looting,” UASU warned in a press conference on Wednesday.
According to UASU, powerful government officials are plotting to seize university land located opposite the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and near Hotel Boulevard on James Gichuru Road.
The land hosts graduate apartments, and the union claims its loss has cost the university billions. T
hey are now calling for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the matter.
The union further alleged that the university council is blocking the acting vice-chancellor from performing her duties, creating power struggles that facilitate looting.
UASU had called on CS Ogamba to act immediately.
“We call upon CS Migos Ogamba to take quick action because we are not ready to watch and see the university die before our eyes,” UASU said.
The union gave a seven-day notice, threatening to call for strike if Prof Anangwe is not removed from the position.
Additionally, Uasu wants the position of chief operations officer, currently held by Brian Ouma abolished, as well as withdrawal of a new strategy by the chancellor of the university, Prof Patrick Verkooijen.
Further, the union wants job advertisements for top leadership positions at the university cancelled, arguing that the process to fill the positions is flawed.
The Uasu officials made the demands at a press conterence at the union headquarters in Nairobi, where they accused Prof Anangwe of excessive overreach, stating that despite a court ruling questioning appointment of the council, the chair continues to wield unchecked power.
They faulted Prof Anangwe for issuing staff transfers, extending staff contracts at will, and interfering in daily operations of the university.
“Since the appointment of Anangwe as chair of council, the university has experienced the most tumultuous period of bad governance.
Uasu litigated his appointment, and the High Court found his appointment illegal but strangely allowed him to continue serving, a matter which is under appeal.
We demand that the Education Committee of Parliament moves to censure Prof Anagwe and council members for running UoN like a kiosk,” said Uasu UoN chapter secretary Dr Maloba Wekesa.
He accused the university leadership of presiding over a governance crisis that threatens to cripple Kenya’s premier higher learning institution.
The union warned that unless urgent action is taken, UoN is on the brink of collapse.
The uasu officials accused Prof Anangwe, of exceeding his mandate by issuing staff transfers, extending contracts at his discretion, and interfering with university operations-an overreach they claim has mom lysed decision-making at the institution.
“It is no wonder that UoN has plummeted in ranking thanks to such bad governance gaffes!! Let the public know this, that their taxes are being used to fund an illegal position while a rogue Council encourages this waste of public funds,” he said.
The union criticised a 24-month transformation strategy introduced by the chancellor of the university, Prof Patrick Verkooijen, alleging that it was crafted without involvement of stakeholders, violates university statutes, and could be used to sell off university assets, including land.
“The 24-month transformational strategy crafted by the chancellor in total isolation of staff and its key implications (legal and financial) – a document crafted by the chancellor and is full of bluster and illegalities, contravening the university charter, university statutes, and attempts to impose actions that the staff is unaware of, uninvolved, and, we fear, prepares the university properties especially land for an auction,” said Dr Richard Bosire.
The union also took issue with the continued existence of the COO position, which they claim is illegal and has no basis in UoN statutes or Public Service Commission guidelines.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has already flagged the position and found that Mr Ouma holds it illegally.
“The Public Service Commission has never created such a position, the University of Nairobi Charter and its statutes do not have such a position, and no other public university in Kenya does,” he said.
“We urge the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service and the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education to take action against this council.
We also call upon the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to have more bite than bark on this matter,” said Dr Maloba.
The union is opposed to the recent job advertisement for the vice chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor (DVC) positions.
It noted that three statutory DVC positions— Finance and Planning, Human Resources, and Student Affairs-were deliberately omitted, allegedly to shift their responsibilities.
