Fresh Crisis Rocks UoN as Gov’t Rejects Key Appointments
Nairobi, Kenya – Thursday, May 9, 2025
A fresh wave of confusion has engulfed the management of the University of Nairobi (UoN) after the Ministry of Education issued a damning press statement nullifying two major appointments made by the Chairperson of the University Council. The Ministry has accused the Council of violating the law and bypassing proper channels in naming Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa as both Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Acting Vice-Chancellor.
The press statement, dated May 9, 2025, and signed by Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Higher Education, affirms that the Ministry was not consulted in the decision to appoint Prof. Mulaa. According to the Ministry, the University Council acted unilaterally and without following due legal procedures outlined in the Universities Act of 2012.
Government Disowns UoN Appointments
The controversy stems from two letters dated May 5, 2025 (Ref. No. UON/CS/05/05/25(4)), issued by the Chairperson of the UoN Council. The Ministry alleges that these letters sought to appoint Prof. Mulaa in violation of Section 35(1)(a)(v) of the Universities Act. The section mandates that appointments to the offices of Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellors in public universities must be made by the Council in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary, and only after a competitive recruitment process by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The Ministry categorically stated that it was not involved in any consultation or meeting with the University Council regarding the appointments. Dr. Inyangala emphasized that no legitimate meeting was convened to discuss or approve the changes, and that the Principal Secretary — who also sits on the UoN Council — had not participated in any such decision.
“We can therefore firmly confirm that no Council meeting was ever convened to discuss and make decisions on appointments at the University of Nairobi, prior to the issuance of the purported letters of appointment,” the press release states.
Clear Violation of the Universities Act
In the strongest language yet, the Ministry labeled the appointments a “clear usurpation” of the role of the Council and a direct contravention of the law. The statement goes on to assert that the appointments are “contra-statute” because they did not follow the competitive process as required.
The Ministry has warned that these “egregious violations of the law” will not be tolerated and vowed to take appropriate action in due course. Although specific disciplinary steps were not outlined in the statement, the tone signals impending legal or administrative consequences.
Interim Leadership Announced
To stem the confusion, the Ministry moved swiftly to clarify who is lawfully holding office in an acting capacity at the University of Nairobi. The acting appointments are as follows:
- Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Jesang Hutchinson
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs): Prof. Ayub Gitau
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Enterprise): Prof. Francis Mulaa
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Human Resource and Administration): Prof. John Demesi Mande
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance, Planning and Development): Prof. Jackson Maalu
The inclusion of Prof. Mulaa in the acting capacity for Research, Innovation, and Enterprise — and not Academic Affairs — contradicts the earlier appointment by the Council, further highlighting the tension between the government and the university’s top decision-making body.
Ministry Vows Strict Oversight
The Ministry underscored that it would be working closely with all relevant stakeholders and regulatory bodies to ensure that institutions of higher learning like UoN are governed according to the law. It emphasized the importance of corporate governance and accountability in the management of public universities.
“The Ministry will work with all agencies and stakeholders to ensure that our institutions of higher education are managed in accordance with the edict of the law,” reads the statement.
The Principal Secretary concluded by noting that leadership at institutions such as the University of Nairobi must be exemplary because of their vital role in shaping Kenya’s future human capital.
A Pattern of Controversy
This is not the first time the University of Nairobi has found itself embroiled in leadership wrangles. In recent years, the university has faced frequent changes in top leadership, cuts to budgetary allocations, and criticism over fee hikes. The latest dispute only adds to the perception of instability at Kenya’s oldest and most prestigious institution of higher learning.
Education stakeholders are now calling for a comprehensive audit of the governance structures at UoN and other public universities to forestall a recurrence of such confusion. Some have even called for the disbandment of the current University Council for allegedly acting outside its legal mandate.
Sector-Wide Implications
The implications of the Ministry’s clarification could ripple across the entire higher education sector. The Universities Act of 2012 was enacted to standardize governance in public universities, enhance transparency in leadership appointments, and reduce political interference. However, this latest saga shows that some institutions may still be circumventing the law.
Legal experts are warning that if the Ministry does not act swiftly, similar unlawful appointments may emerge in other institutions. Some have urged the Cabinet Secretary to take decisive steps to hold university councils accountable, including revoking any illegal appointments made without Ministry input.
Staff and Student Reactions
Internally, the situation at UoN has sparked concern among academic staff and students alike. Lecturers are reportedly divided over the legitimacy of the appointments, while some student leaders have expressed confusion over who is truly in charge of the institution.
“We demand clarity and stability in leadership. This back-and-forth between the Ministry and the Council is affecting confidence in the university’s operations,” said a student leader who spoke to K47 Digital News.
Others fear that the wrangles could delay the implementation of academic reforms and compromise the university’s reputation both locally and internationally.
What Happens Next?
According to insiders at the Ministry of Education, a probe is likely to be launched to investigate how the Council arrived at its decision to appoint Prof. Mulaa without consulting the Cabinet Secretary. Depending on the findings, individual Council members may be sanctioned, and the appointments could be officially revoked in writing.
In the meantime, the Ministry’s clarification provides temporary relief by identifying legally recognized office holders. However, unless a more permanent and law-abiding solution is implemented, the leadership crisis at UoN may continue to fester.
Conclusion
The unfolding drama at the University of Nairobi is a reminder of the critical importance of upholding the rule of law in the management of public institutions. As the Ministry of Education steps in to restore order, all eyes will be on how the university responds — and whether this incident will lead to reforms that protect the integrity of higher education leadership in Kenya.
