Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has spoken on University of Nairobi's (UoN) week of management chaos that saw a new Vice Chancellor (VC) named by the varsity council, only to be rejected by both the appointee and the Ministry of Education hours later.
On Wednesday, Prof Anangwe issued letters appointing Prof Bitange Ndemo as Vice Chancellor and Prof Francis Mulaa as acting VC before the former takes up the position.
Prof Ndemo, however, turned down the appointment on grounds that the process was irregular.
Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Beatrice Inyangala, who is also a member of the council, said Prof Anangwe did not follow proper legal procedures and that the ministry was not involved in decisions to make the appointments.
Now, CS Ogamba has promised to resolve the management problems at UoN in record time.
"I will resolve the UoN problem within a week, and I promise Kenyans that. The fiasco is costing UoN financial aid, because people keep calling me asking what is happening," he said Friday at Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology.
Condemned council actions
While disowning the appointments, the Education Ministry had condemned Prof Anangwe's actions as a "clear usurpation of the role of the council" and warned that it would not be tolerated.
Prof Amukowa Anangwe.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Education confirms that there were no consultations between the University of Nairobi council and the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education on any of the purported appointments,” said Dr Inyangala said in a statement, indicating she had been excluded from the decision despite sitting on the UoN council.
“...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 by the chairperson of the University of Nairobi council,” she said.
"Consequently, the purported appointments as done by the chairperson of the University of Nairobi Council are a clear usurpation of the role of the Council, contrary to the provisions of the Universities Act, 2012. The purported appointments are also contra-statute for not adhering to the mandatory procedure for appointment as outlined in Section 35(1)(a)(v) of the Universities Act, 2012. These egregious violations of the law shall not be condoned and will form the basis for appropriate action in due course,” the PS warned.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala appears before National Assembly Public Accounts Committee at Bunge Tower in Nairobi on March 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis onsongo | Nation Media Group
The Ministry emphasised that appointments to top leadership positions in public universities must be conducted through a competitive process led by the Public Service Commission and finalised in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary.
In posts on Facebook and X, Prof Ndemo revealed that he had been among the top three candidates shortlisted for the VC position following interviews conducted on March 21, 2025.
“I sought confirmation from the chairman (Prof Anangwe) regarding the Minister for Education's concurrence, as required by law. Prof Anangwe assured me that it was being addressed and that he had submitted the necessary documents an hour earlier. The announcement triggered a flood of congratulatory messages on social media. However, I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process and have withdrawn my candidacy for the position,” Prof Ndemo stated.
The Ministry clarified that Prof Jesang Hutchinson is still serving as the Vice-Chancellor and Prof. Ayub Gitau as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs); Prof Francis Mulaa as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Enterprise); Prof John Demesi Mande as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Human Resource and Administration); and Prof Jackson Maalu as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance, Planning and Development).
