Court bars Education CS Fred Matiangi from reconstituting University of Nairobi Council

Education CS Fred Matiang'i  [PHOTO: STANLEY ONGWAE/STANDARD].

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi’s bid to constitute a new council for University of Nairobi suffered a temporary setback after High Court barred him from meddling with the institution’s affairs.

High Court judge Weldon Korir ruled that Fred Matiangi’s move to replace the current council members has been temporarily suspended; therefore the current council will continue running affairs of the university until the case filed by Thandayo Obanda is heard.

“Leave is granted, does operate as stay of the respondent’s (Matiang’i)  advertisement dated January 16, 2016  communicated through Daily Nation Newspaper  to purportedly reconstitute  the  governing council of  the  University  of  Nairobi,”  Judge  Korir ruled.

The Chairperson’s position had attracted former university Vice Chancellors and prominent Chief Executive Officers, with a total 13 individuals expressing their interest to manage the university.

Other 83 candidates also applied to be members of the university Council.

Prof. James Tuitoek, former Egerton University VC and Isaiah Ndege, former Kyambogo University (Kampala) VC have been shortlisted to chair the UoN council.

Hanington Gaya, former Chairman of the Brand Kenya Board and Harun Mwangi, the current CEO Media Council have also been shortlisted.

Other notable names in the short list are Alloice Orago, ‎former Executive Director at The National AIDS Control Council and Macharia Munene who is a Professor of History and International Relations at the United States International University (USIU).

A short text message sent to the various candidates shows that interviews were to take place at Jogoo House.

“You have been shortlisted for the position of council member for the University of Nairobi. You are therefore invited for an interview on February 11 at Jogoo House B 10 floor small boardroom at 2pm,” reads the text message.

Thadayo wants the court to stop Education CS from disbanding the current University council.

Section 76 (3) of the Universities Act says: “All Councils of public universities in existence immediately before the commencement of this Act shall remain in office for a period not exceeding six months after which new councils shall be appointed under this Act.”

The Universities Act came to force in 2012. This means most current councils should have been reconstituted two years ago.

The council ought to consist of nine members where the Cabinet Secretary, according to Section 36 of the Universities Act, shall competitively appoint five of them.

Other members are PS’s in the ministry of education and Finance, a chairperson and the Vice Chancellor as an ex officio member.

The case will be mentioned on February 25.