Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has revoked the appointment of Amukowa Anangwe as Chairperson of the University of Nairobi (UoN).
In a Gazette Notice on Friday, Ogamba stated that Amukowa will cease to hold office effective Friday, February 21, 2025.
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“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 36 (1) (a) of the Universities Act, 2012, as read together with Section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Education revokes the appointment of Amukowa Anangwe (Prof.) as Chairperson of the Council of the University of Nairobi, with effect from February 21, 2025,” the notice read.
This comes after the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Nairobi, 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.
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CS Ogamba Sacks UoN Council Chairperson Amukowa Anangwe After Lecturers’ Cry
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,” he said.
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“The lack of urgency in dissolving the University Council will cripple the institution.”
He called upon Ogamba to take quick action.
“We are not ready to watch our university collapse and die before our eyes. He must take action. He should send the council home immediately,” Bosire added.
Also Read: UoN Responds After Claims of Take Over and Staff Strike Notice
Uasu UoN Chapter Secretary Maloba Wekesa accused him of assuming the role of the Vice Chancellor, making key decisions unilaterally, and disrupting 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 whim, and sitting in internal interviews. This blatant overreach is unacceptable,” he said.
Meanwhile, lawmakers on Thursday, February 20, called for the dissolution of the UoN Council, accusing Amukoa Anangwe, of interfering with the institution’s management.
The National Assembly’s Education Committee also directed the Ministry of Education to submit a report within seven days on the governance challenges facing the university and outline the steps taken to resolve the leadership crisis.
Also Read:Why UoN Could Soon ‘Die’ Like Moi University
MPs Give Education Ministry 7 Days to Resolve University Governance Crisis
Acting committee chair Jerusha Momanyi who serves as Kisii Woman Representative faulted the ministry for failing to address the governance issues at the university, warning that inaction could lead to its downfall.
“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,” Momanyi said.
“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.”
On his part, Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo accused Anangwe of overstepping his mandate by making unilateral decisions, including interfering with staff appointments.
“One person, the council chairman, is acting as the entire council. In one instance, we saw a letter directing the postponement of the dean’s election. While the law allows the current dean to continue acting, he chose to appoint an acting dean,” Gisairo said.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera also raised concerns over the council’s conduct, warning that its actions could cripple the university.
“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,” Nabwera said.
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