The High Court of Kenya has ruled on Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba’s order that revoked the appointment of Prof. Amukowa Anangwe as Chairperson of the University of Nairobi (UoN) Council.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye, in his ruling on Wednesday, February 26, issued temporary orders reinstating Amukowa Anangwe pending the determination of the case.
At the same time, Justice Mwamuye barred Education CS Julius Ogamba and Attorney General Dorcus Oduor from appointing anyone else to the position.
“Pending the inter-partes hearing and determination of the Petitioner’s Notice of Motion Application dated 25/02/2025, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued maintaining the obtaining status quo that arose as a result of the Gazette Notice No. 6767 dated 22/05/2023,” the judge said.
Additionally, the judge ruled that the orders against Ogamba would remain in effect until the case filed by the professor challenging his dismissal is heard.
CS Ogamba revoked the appointment of Amukowa Anangwe as Chairperson of the UoN Council in a Gazette Notice on Friday, February 21, 2025.
This comes after the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) issued a seven-day strike notice on Wednesday, February 19, to the university, demanding the immediate disbandment of the university council over claims of mismanagement and looting.
UASU officials lauded Ogamba’s move but are now demanding the dissolution of the entire council.
According to them, dissolving the council is a necessary step to address the myriad challenges the institution faces.
Also Read: UoN Council Chairperson Amukowa Anangwe Sacked
UASU National Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga stated on Monday, February 24, that the union would not relent in its decision to call a for strike once the seven-day ultimatum lapses.
Wasonga urged the CS to revoke the appointment of the entire council to pave the way for change and resolution, emphasizing that this matter remains their primary concern.
“We are not going to take the happenings at the University of Nairobi lightly. Degazetting only the chair is not enough. We want the whole council to go,” Dr Wasonga said.
On his part, UASU UoN chapter Chair Dr. Richard Bosire stated that the effort to restore sanity to the troubled institution is far from over.
“We expect him to move swiftly and remove the entire council and also engage quickly to appoint a new council with a new chair, people who have public interest in their hearts, not people who are coming to swindle the university resources,” Dr Bosire said.
Also Read: UoN Responds After Claims of Take Over and Staff Strike Notice
Amukowa Anangwe’s tenure as chair of the University of Nairobi Council was cut short after 21 months that have been marked by controversy and boardroom wars with the management.
His appointment on May 23, 2024, through a special gazette notice by then Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu alongside Ahmed Sheikh Abdullai, Dr Darmain ole Warkae, Caren Kerubo Omwenga and Dr Sally Ngeringwony Toroitich followed the dissolution of the former council.
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