The University of Nairobi Governing Council has suspended Vice Chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama for three months with immediate effect, sparking yet another row with the embattled university boss.
In its directive, the council instructed Margaret Jesang Hutchinson to take over as acting vice-chancellor.
“During the council meeting on Friday, August 2, 2024, we resolved to suspend Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Kiama for three months, pending ongoing investigations into his conduct, including allegations of misconduct and insubordination. The council also decided to undertake disciplinary action on issues of insubordination and gross misconduct. While Professor Kiama is on suspension, all staff and students are instructed not to engage with him on official university matters,” said Prof Amukowa Anangwe, the varsity’s council chairman.
Prof Anangwe insisted that Prof Kiama had failed to take a 60-day leave as had been demanded by the council, and any further delay “could lead to complications and undermine the integrity of the leave management system.”
“It should be noted that this matter is being handled differently, previously he had been granted a 60-day leave. However, he refused to take it. According to his contract, he should not accrue more than 90 leave days over the duration of the contract, but he has exceeded this limit. So he should note that this is different,” said Prof Anagwe.
The university council chairman revealed that the body’s agenda also included reviewing Prof Kiama’s request for a second term, which was submitted on July 4, 2024.
Despite being within the two-month review period, the request was deemed invalid, Prof Anangwe said.
He noted that the council found that the request was not properly communicated and did not meet the necessary standards required for consideration of a second term.
“Previously, we had another request that expired before we could consider it due to unforeseen circumstances. Today, we reviewed Professor Kiama’s request and determined that it was not validly communicated and did not meet the necessary standards. Consequently, it does not qualify for a review or consideration by the council,” Prof Anangwe said.
He went on: “The council encountered difficulties accessing the chambers on the 19th floor, as they had been blocked by the Vice Chancellor. We had to enlist the help of security to gain entry, and we were ultimately successful in resolving the issue.”
This comes two months after the university insisted on the ouster of embattled Prof Kiama, following weeks of court-issued stay orders on filling vacant positions.
Prof Anangwe had during that time decreed that Professor Njoroge Gitau would hold the VC office in the interim.
“Professor Ayub Njoroge Gitau shall continue to serve as the Acting Vice Chancellor, with the full authority of the Council to carry out the responsibilities entrusted to the position,” a statement issued on Wednesday, May 22, reads in part.
Efforts to reach Prof Kiama for comment were in vain on Friday, August 2, as calls and text messages to his known phone number went unanswered. A promise by the vice chancellor’s aide to get back to us was also not honoured.
