The fountain of knowledge at the University of Nairobi.
The bad blood between the council of the University of Nairobi (UoN) and the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) has worsened with the union calling for immediate dissolution of the council and a threat to call a strike.
Uasu blames the council over the delayed implementation of the retirement age clause in the 2017 – 2021 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) stating that the university had refused to sign and implement it.
“The 2017-2021 CBA negotiations were concluded long ago, yet the council has dragged out the signing and implementation process far beyond the agreed period. Once again, this is a deliberate effort to deny our members their rightful benefits. Therefore, we call on the council to immediately implement the retirement age clause in the CBA. If they fail to do so, the national office will issue directives on the next course of action. We have already requested the national secretary-general to intervene, as this is a matter of national concern,” said Richard Bosire, chairperson of Uasu, UoN chapter.
“We do not wish to go on strike, but if necessary, we will use it as a last resort. We have submitted letters and engaged in discussions, but it is clear that certain individuals have ulterior motives. If they continue to ignore our demands, we will have no choice but to take industrial action,” he added.
He was speaking when union officials addressed a press conference at the headquarters of the union in Nairobi.
The latest controversy comes just two weeks after the Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba on February 21 2025 revoked the appointment of Prof Amukowa Anangwe as chair of the council. Prof Anangwe obtained orders from the High Court on February 26 2025 to stay the revocation until the case he has filed against it is heard and determined.
After his reinstatement, Prof Anangwe suspended the Uasu secretary Dr Maloba Wekesa for three months citing gross misconduct and investigations into corruption. On March 10 2025, Dr Maloba obtained stay orders from the courts against his suspension.
“We are clear in our assertion that Prof Amukowa should not be allowed to collapse the university as any venture he has ever delved into. The Parliamentary Education Committee made it very clear that the entire university council needs to be dissolved for any reasonable progress to be made at the university. We are therefore demanding that the gazette notice that revoked Prof Amukowa Anangwe should stay put. Uasu is also calling out all lecturers at the University of Nairobi to bind together and save the university they so cherish,” said Dr Wekesa.
Uasu also raised concerns over alleged interference in the election of faculty deans. The union claims that Prof Anangwe sought to appoint a dean in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences without following due process.
“We are demanding that the election of dean in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences be put back on track as expected. Failure of which, Uasu will resort to any means it deems necessary to protect the rights of its members,” said Dr Wekesa.
Additionally, the union has demanded transparency in the recruitment of a Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance, Planning, and Development, arguing that the failure to advertise the position is creating governance chaos.
“In the statutes of the University of Nairobi, a clearly defined hierarchical management structure is stipulated. In the interest of good governance, we, as Uasu, have insisted that it is necessary that the DVC FPD be advertised. Once again, this straightforward matter has been turned into a theatre of absurdity. Uasu is clear on this matter that for the benefit of transparency and the strengthening of governance at the university, it is imperative that the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Finance and Planning be advertised,” said Dr Wekesa.
“Part of the reason for the instability at the university is that there are no clear role assignments. We believe this management chaos is deliberate by the Council to ensure their meddling in operations at the University is assured. We are calling for the
Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Education to come to the rescue of the university and veto the advertisement of this fulcrum position at the University,” he added.
mesimiyu@ke.nationmedia.com
