The ongoing leadership crisis at the University of Nairobi (UoN) has taken a fresh twist after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revoked the appointments of all but one member of the university’s council and blocked a planned special council meeting meant to deliberate key leadership appointments.
In a gazette notice issued on Friday, the CS revoked the appointment of four council members - Sally Toroitich, Ahmed Abdullahi, Parmain Ole Narikae, and Carren Kerubo Omwenga - effective April 11, 2025.
With only Council Chairman Prof Amukowa Anangwe still in office - his position temporarily safeguarded by a court order halting his ouster - the University of Nairobi currently lacks a fully constituted council.
Prof Amukowa Anangwe.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled in Anangwe’s favour, reinstating him and barring the Ministry from appointing a replacement until the case is fully heard and determined. The court emphasized that the CS failed to follow due process and that such actions must align with the law, especially when affecting public institutions.
Prof Anangwe, who has faced criticism from some staff unions, maintains that his leadership has been focused on institutional reforms and rooting out mismanagement. The changes take immediate effect, although no official reason was provided for the decision.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 36 (1) (d) 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 Sally Ngeringwony Toroitich, Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi, Parmain Ole Narikae (Dr) and Carren Kerubo Omwenga, as Members of the Council of the University of Nairobi, with effect from the 11th April, 2025," read the gazette.
The only other members of the council who are still in office, by virtue of their roles or secondment, are Dr Beatrice Inyangala, the Higher Education Principal Secretary, and
Dr Kenrick Ayot, who represents the Principal Secretary National Treasury and Planning.
The entrance to the University of Nairobi
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The Ministry on Monday declined a request by Prof Anangwe to convene a special meeting of the Council.
The meeting, intended to deliberate on the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs, was blocked pending a review of the Auditor-General’s report, which flagged irregularities in council expenditures for the financial year ending June 30, 2024.
“We are unable to approve the proposed special meeting, pending further review and investigation,” stated CS Ogamba.
The Council had received recommendation letters and merit lists for top leadership positions from the Public Service Commission, prompting Prof. Anangwe to seek urgent deliberations.
In accordance with Section 35 (1)(a)(v) of the Universities Act, 2012, the Council was to convene a special meeting to deliberate and appoint the new Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs).
In a letter dated March 28, 2025, Prof Anangwe formally wrote to the Cabinet Secretary requesting permission to hold the special meeting on April 2.
These developments further compound the leadership paralysis at the University of Nairobi, which has frequently found itself in the headlines due to a series of administrative shake-ups, staff protests, and tensions over higher education funding reforms.
According to the letter, the agenda was to deliberate and appoint the new VC and DVC-AA.
However, CS Ogamba declined the request.
This comes in as the university has frequently appeared in the headlines due to a series of leadership disputes, staff and student protests, and controversies surrounding higher education funding reforms. The university council has now been disbanded three times in just four years.
The persistent upheavals at the university are linked to what insiders say is an ongoing power tussle involving state agencies, internal university factions, and political players.
