Unease at UoN as dons target Amukowa Anangwe
The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu), University of Nairobi chapter, has demanded the removal of the university council chair, Prof Amukowa Anangwe, whom they accuse of usurping management powers and mismanaging the institution.
The union has given a seven-day notice, threatening to call for industrial action if Prof Anangwe is not removed from the position. Additionally, Uasu wants the position of chief operations officer (COO) currently held by Mr Brian Ouma abolished, as well as withdrawal of a new strategy by the chancellor of the university, Professor Patrick Verkooijen.
Further, the union wants job advertisements for top leadership positions at the university cancelled, arguing that the process to fill the positions is flawed.
The Uasu officials made the demands at a press conference at the union headquarters in Nairobi where they accused Prof Anangwe of excessive overreach, stating that despite a court ruling questioning appointment of the council, the chair continues to wield unchecked power.
They faulted Prof Anangwe for personally issuing staff transfers, extending staff contracts at will, and interfering in daily operations of the university.
“The overreach of the council chair – ever since the appointment of Prof Amukowa Anangwe as chair of council, the university has experienced the most tumultuous period of bad governance,"said Uasu UoN chapter secretary Dr Maloba Wekesa.
"Uasu litigated his appointment, and the High Court found his appointment illegal but strangely allowed him to continue serving, a matter which is under appeal. We demand that the Education Committee of Parliament moves to censure Prof Anagwe and his council members for running UoN like a kiosk.”
He accused the university leadership of presiding over a governance crisis that threatens to cripple Kenya’s premier higher learning institution. The union warned that unless urgent action is taken, UoN is on the brink of collapse.
The uasu officials accused Prof Anangwe, of exceeding his mandate by issuing staff transfers, extending contracts at his discretion, and interfering with university operations—an overreach they claim has paralysed decision-making at the institution.
“It is no wonder that UoN has plummeted in ranking thanks to such bad governance gaffes!! Let the public know this, that their taxes are being used to fund an illegal position while a rogue Council encourages this waste of public funds,” he said.
The union criticised a 24-month transformation strategy introduced by the chancellor of the university, Prof Patrick Verkooijen, alleging that it was crafted without the involvement of stakeholders, violates university statutes, and could be used to sell off university assets, including land.
“The 24-month transformational strategy crafted by the chancellor in total isolation of staff and its key implications (legal and financial) – a document crafted by the chancellor and is full of bluster and illegalities, contravening the university charter, university statutes, and attempts to impose actions that the staff is unaware of, uninvolved, and, we fear, prepares the university properties especially land for an auction,” said Dr Richard Bosire, chapter chair.
Mr revealed that, the strategy proposes costly expenditures, including the Chancellor’s move into a high-end university-funded residence, increased council meetings, and restructuring that Uasu says will burden an already struggling institution.
“The document burdens the university by suggesting the council should have bi-monthly meetings, a cost to be borne by a broke university. This is straight-up thuggery and a complete departure from fiscal fidelity the university desperately needs.
"For the record, UoN has a known five-year strategic plan approved by both the Treasury and Ministry of Education and which was launched after public participation by staff and other key stakeholders. We therefore demand that this document be withdrawn and any of its intended actions vacated,” said Dr Maloba.
The union also took issue with the continued existence of the COO position, which they claim is illegal and has no basis in UoN statutes or Public Service Commission guidelines. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has already flagged the position and found that Mr Ouma holds it illegally.
“The Public Service Commission has never created such a position, the University of Nairobi Charter and its statutes do not have such a position, and no other public university in Kenya does,” he said.
“We urge the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service and the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education to take action against this council. We also call upon the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to have more bite than bark on this matter,” said Dr Maloba.
'Revoke advertisement'
The union is opposed to the recent job advertisement for the vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor (DVC) positions. It noted that three statutory DVC positions—finance and planning, human resources, and student affairs—were deliberately omitted, allegedly to shift their responsibilities to the disputed COO position.
“We demand that the Public Service Commission should revoke the advertisement as issued on January 21 2025 and issues a new advert that will have the known positions of Deputy Vice Chancellors as clearly stated in the University of Nairobi statutes. Such an advert should not bear any demands to applicants on their knowledge of the illegal transformational strategy as crafted by the chancellor,” said Dr Bosire.
Prof Anangwe did not respond to our phone calls and text messages for response.
However, UON has dismissed allegations made by a section of Uasu, terming them as misinformation aimed at derailing ongoing reforms.
In a press statement, UON Director of Corporate Affairs, John A.O. Orindi, reaffirmed that the university’s governance structures remain intact and continue to operate within the framework of the Universities Act, 2012, the University Charter, 2013, and other relevant laws.
“The organs of the University are properly constituted and continue to fulfill their mandates in accordance with the law. Decisions and measures are implemented at different levels as stipulated by legal and procedural guidelines,” Orindi stated.
The university further clarified the distinct roles of the Chancellor, Council, and Vice-Chancellor, citing provisions in the Universities Act. It emphasized that the Council has the authority to determine recruitment, appointments, and promotions, while the Chancellor provides advisory services.
UON acknowledged the ongoing financial constraints affecting public universities across Kenya, noting that the institution is implementing a 24-month transformation agenda to restore financial stability. The plan, approved by the Cabinet, is being executed by the University Council under the guidance of the chancellor.
“The agenda includes reforming academic programs, enhancing productivity, and diversifying revenue streams, including the commercialisation of idle assets,” the statement read.
The university accused some Uasu members of resisting the reforms to protect personal interests and maintain alleged malpractice and corruption. It linked threats of industrial action to ongoing investigations into financial impropriety involving some union officials.
“We strongly believe that these threats are diversionary tactics intended to impede the transformation agenda and shield certain individuals from disciplinary action,” the university stated, urging UASU to allow investigations to proceed without obstruction.