Members of Parliament (MPs) have urged the Ministry of Education to take swift and decisive action on the escalating leadership crisis at the University of Nairobi (UoN), recommending the immediate dissolution of the university’s council for overstepping its mandate and undermining management processes.
The call for the council’s removal comes amid growing concerns that the institution is teetering on the edge of an administrative collapse.
The MPs, through the National Assembly Committee on Education, have demanded that the Ministry of Education submit a comprehensive report detailing the steps taken to address the university’s turmoil within the next seven days.
Acting Committee Chair Jerusha Momanyi, the Kisii County Women Representative, voiced frustrations over the apparent inaction from the Ministry, warning that further delays could have disastrous consequences for the university.
“There is clear inertia within the Ministry of Education. If we allow more time, we risk seeing the situation worsen, just like what happened with Moi University. We will not let UoN go down the same path,” Momanyi said firmly.
In a scathing assessment, MPs accused the Ministry of failing to address the growing rift between the university’s council and its administration, which has led to a series of controversial decisions and appointments.
Clive Gisairo, the MP for Kitutu Masaba, highlighted the role of the University Council Chairman, Professor Amukoa Anangwe, whose influence has raised concerns of governance overreach.
“Prof. Anangwe has essentially been acting as though he is the entire university council. We witnessed instances where he issued a letter to postpone elections for the dean of a faculty, despite the law permitting the current dean to continue in an acting capacity. This kind of interference is unacceptable,” said Gisairo.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, another member of the Education Committee, echoed these sentiments, likening the crisis at UoN to a “silent coup” aimed at undermining the university’s governance structure.
“The University of Nairobi council has overstepped its role. This has created a leadership vacuum that threatens the institution’s very future,” Nabwera warned.
The committee’s recommendation comes just days after the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) issued an ultimatum, threatening industrial action unless immediate action is taken against Prof. Anangwe.
According to UASU officials, the council chair has become increasingly autocratic, making unilateral decisions typically reserved for the Vice-Chancellor, and disregarding the established separation of powers between the university’s council and management.
“Prof. Anangwe is acting like the Vice-Chancellor. He has been issuing transfer letters, extending contracts, and making staffing decisions without any oversight. This kind of behavior is not only unprofessional but also dangerously undermines the integrity of university governance,” said Dr. Maloba Wekesa, Secretary of the UASU UoN Chapter.
The union has also raised alarm over the existence of a position within the university that it claims is both illegal and unnecessary. UASU is accusing the university council of allowing a “Chief Operations Officer” role, held by Brian Ouma, to persist despite it not being recognized in the UoN Charter or by the Public Service Commission.
“This position is illegal, and yet it continues to drain public resources while UoN’s reputation and ranking suffer. The government must intervene before this governance crisis further erodes the university’s credibility,” Wekesa added.
With the situation growing increasingly tense, UASU has warned that if the Ministry of Education does not intervene within the next week, lecturers and other staff members will resort to strikes, which could significantly disrupt academic activities at the university.
“We are prepared to take industrial action if the government continues to turn a blind eye to the mismanagement of UoN. This is not just about one individual; it is about the future of our institution and the education of thousands of students,” Wekesa concluded.
