Ogamba promises swift resolution to varsities' management turmoil

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has pledged to resolve management wrangles bedevilling institutions of higher learning, promising swift government action to restore order.

The CS said the ongoing leadership dispute at the University of Nairobi (UoN) would be resolved within a week, citing procedural violations and governance failures as the root of the stalemate.

Ogamba warned that the crisis in public universities jeopardises international partnerships and risks denying the institutions crucial foreign investment.

Speaking at Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri on Friday, the CS described the turmoil at UoN as a serious governance issue requiring urgent intervention.

“Last night (Thursday), I slept at 1 a.m. because I have a bad problem with UoN. But I have assured Kenyans that within the next week, I will solve that problem,” Ogamba said. “We have one individual who is doing things he knows he should not be doing and holding us at ransom. We will not allow politics to control us.”

He added that the Ministry would not stand by as universities slid into dysfunction, particularly under the gaze of potential international partners. “The French government wants to give 36 million Euros (Sh5.2 billions) for research, Artificial Intelligence, and environmental studies. But they are asking, ‘how can we give money to these people if this university is dysfunctional?’” he said.

The crisis was triggered by a letter dated May 5 from University Council Chair Amukowa Anangwe, who announced the appointment of Prof Bitange Ndemo as the new Vice Chancellor, replacing acting VC Margaret Hutchinson.

He also named Prof Francis Mulaa as acting VC pending Prof Ndemo’s release from his ambassadorial duties in Belgium.

According to the letter seen by The Standard, Ndemo emerged top in a PSC merit list with a score of 84 per cent, ahead of Prof Duke Orata (73 per cent) and Prof Francis Jackim Mulaa (66.7 per cent). 

However, Prof Ndemo rejected the appointment, describing it as “unprocedural” and made without required government approval.

“I received a letter appointing me as Vice Chancellor. I sought confirmation regarding the Minister for Education’s concurrence, as required by law. The chairman assured me it was being addressed. But I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process,” Ndemo clarified.

The wrangles are the latest in a string of leadership crises at UoN over the past two years, including the controversial ouster of former VC Prof Stephen Kiama.

The Ministry of Education has since disowned the appointments, declaring them illegal and in breach of the Universities Act, 2012.

Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Dr Beatrice Inyangala, a council member herself, confirmed that no legal process or formal consultations with the CS occurred prior to the appointments. “The purported appointments are a clear usurpation of the role of the council… These egregious violations of the law shall not be condoned,” said Dr. Inyangala.

According to a 2022 report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), nepotism remains the leading form of corruption in university staffing, followed by bribery—both of which have severely demoralised staff. The CS reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and functionality of public universities.

If successful, this will be the second university where Ogamba has asserted authority since assuming office. Four months ago, the CS dissolved the Moi University Council and appointed Prof Noah Midamba as Chairperson for a three-year term. Prof Kiplagat Kotut was named acting vice-chancellor.