The University of Nairobi is the top-ranked higher learning institution in East and Central Africa. But in recent months, the top power struggles have stretched beyond the negotiation angles, which could crumble and taint the walls of the prestigious institution.
The leadership wrangles surfaced a few months after President Ruto’s administration assumed power in 2022, which seems to have heralded the university’s governing body. A confidential piece of information leaked to students by a senior lecturer a few weeks before the end of the second semester pointed the finger at the conflict of interest.
The information provided, though not yet verified, blamed the drifting university administration on the existence of two parallel councils. The new council, which came into being in President Ruto’s regime era, wanted the ousted Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen Kiama, out, while the former was in support of Kiam’s stay.
In July last year, the council approved Kiam’s request to proceed on a six-month leave with effect from August 1, 2023. Prof. Julius Ogeng’o, the then Deputy VC in charge of Academic Affairs, was appointed by the University of Nairobi Council as the acting VC.
Prof. Kiama proceeded on a six-month sabbatical leave, which was expected to end in early February this year. The University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA) protested the move, terming it untimely and imploring the council to recall him, as two graduation ceremonies were expected that year.
In a surprise to the UoN fraternity, Kiama took it to the social media platform Xreturn (formerly Twitter) to announce his return, having not exhausted the remaining five months. He officially addressed the university staff, continuing students, and freshmen on YouTube, calling for their support amid pressure from the council.
In April, the University of Nairobi council sent Prof. Kiama on compulsory leave for three months, pending the misconduct and insubordination of his office. In a letter dated September 22, the council affirmed that it had not approved his return since he had not exhausted his leave days.
Student protests, led by the UNSA leaders, rocked the institution’s premises on prolonged complaints tethered to the high cost of hostels and their unfriendly conditions. Kiama, who took over in January 2020, has since raised fees two-fold and accommodation charges from Sh6,000 to Sh4,000 in April.
Prof. Anangwe, the council chairperson, announced the immediate suspension of Prof. Kiama on a gross misconduct accusation. The redacted memo addressed to staff and students in emails by Mr. John Orindi dated April 19th communicated that the VC had proceeded on leave. The council immediately appointed the sitting dean of students, Njoroge, in the acting capacity.
Prof. Stephen Kiama came out head-brained to clear the air and debunked the memo, warning of possible “apprehension to both members of staff and students” and calling them to ignore the communication. He urged them to support him in his relentless efforts to transform the institution.
“I call upon all members of staff and students to ignore the communication. In the meantime, I call on all of us to commit to the task ahead of driving the university to a truly globally competitive university that transforms society,” the memo read.
Kiama, who finally refused to go on leave, argued that the dean elected by the faculty members cannot become the VC, terming it a breach of the University Charter.
“The council went against our university charter in appointing the dean of a faculty as the VC. The dean is usually elected by the academic staff in the faculty,” he said.
The recent developments in the university leadership standoff could prematurely end Kiam’s position, barely four months after the lapse of his term, which began in January 2020. The embattled VC has found himself in a full-scale fallout with the University of Nairobi council, and any attempt to redeem him could be taken with a grain of salt.
The university council revealed that Kiama accumulated his leave by approximately 200 days, which is against the recommended 90 days for every staff member by the university. As of last week, students had gathered near the university towers to sing the anti-Kiama slogans. The students were calling for his resignation and the review of the accommodation fees, which has sent hundreds of students opting for off-campus renting.
In a memo dated August 2, 2024, the University of Nairobi Council communicated both to members of the staff and students, informing them of the immediate suspension of Prof. Stephen Kiama and the “pending conclusion of the disciplinary process” into the alleged involvement in gross misconduct and insubordination.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, remains suspended for three months. Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, who serves as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation, and Enterprise, has been appointed by the council as the acting VC for three months.
Additionally, Prof. Ayub Njoroge Gitau was appointed as the acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs for a period of three months, a position that has been held by Prof. Julius Ogeng’o. The council also appointed Prof. Francis Mulaa in the capacity of acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Research, Innovation, and Enterprise for a period of three months.
The council chair, Prof. Anangwe, disclosed in his address to the media outlets that the suspended VC has plunged the institutions into an abyss of debt. In regard to the debt accusation, Angwe said that Kiama found the debt at Sh9 billion, and at the time of his suspension, the total debt stood at Sh24 billion, with much of it owed to the Kenya Revenue Authority.
He also explained that Kiama was suspended on the grounds of discontent and lack of legitimacy by the students, who for multiple times have called for his resignation and review of academic and accommodation fees. Students are currently demanding a review of accommodation charges after the government’s new funding model became operational.
Prof. Kiama took over from Prof. Mbithi in January 2020. His 5-year term was expected to end in January next year, before the untimely suspension. He’ll be remembered as the VC who restructured the university administration by reducing the number of colleges and staff. He’ll also be remembered as the most embattled VC of all time.
Anangwe urged “members of the staff and students not to deal with him on any official matters” and directed him to “keep off the university” while on suspension. He implores the university community to support the acting VC and other appointed officials.
