Besieged UoN council chair claims State wants 'yes-men' to run varsity

University of Nairobi Council chairman Amukowa Anangwe before Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi, on May 16, 2025. [Collins Kweyu, Standard] Embattled University of Nairobi Council chairman Amukowa Anangwe has cited politics and government interference as the root cause of leadership wrangles at Kenya's premier institution. Prof Anangwe, in his case challenging the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) decision to charge him with alleged graft, claims that the prosecution was instigated to pave the way for a 'yes-men and women' in the council. "Petitioner believes the threats of arrest and prosecution are politically motivated and aimed at removing him from office in order to pave the way for the appointment of a Chair and a Vice Chancellor who are politically aligned to certain interests," claimed Anangwe in his case filed before High Court judge Bahati Mwamuye. His lawyer, Abdirazak Mohamed, told the judge that Anangwe was appointed chairperson of the University of Nairobi's council for three years, effective May 23, 2023. He argued that the charges were also meant to pressure him to drop a separate case in which he had received an order barring the university and the Attorney General from removing him from office or recruiting a new chairman. Anangwe, alongside council members Caren Omwenga, Abdullahi Ahmed, and Chief Operations Officer (COO) Daniel Brian Ouma, were arraigned before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on two counts of corruption-related offences. Appearing before Principal Magistrate Celesa Asis Okore, the four pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of office and unlawful acquisition of public property amounting to Sh32.4 million. The prosecution alleged that on or about April 19, 2024, at the University Council Chamber in Nairobi, the accused, as council members, unlawfully exercised their authority to improperly benefit Ouma. It was claimed that the alleged benefit arose from a Council resolution that reappointed Ouma as the acting COO and annulled a letter issued by then Vice Chancellor, Prof Stephen Kiama, rescinding the same appointment. The prosecution further claimed that this resolution violated a judgment delivered on April 8, 2024, in ELRC JR 46 of 2023, which reportedly barred such action. In the second charge, Ouma was separately accused of unlawfully acquiring Sh32,459,406.15 in salary payments. This was between March 25, 2015, and May 8, 2025, for roles including Deputy Director (Fundraising, Donor Relations and Partnerships), Director of Advancement, and acting COO, positions the prosecution claims he was not qualified to hold. After denying the charges, the accused persons sought to be released on reasonable bail and bond, stating that they were willing to comply with all conditions set by the court. The magistrate, however, released Anangwe, Omwenga, and Abdullahi on a Sh1 million bail or Sh3 million bond. Ouma was granted separate bond terms of Sh5 million and Sh3 million since he was accused of unlawfully acquiring Sh32.4 million from the university. Anangwe stated that a gazette notice was in place to revoke his appointment. He argued that this was despite his term not having expired. The case will be mentioned Tuesday.

Besieged UoN council chair claims State wants 'yes-men' to run varsity

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Besieged UoN council chair claims State wants 'yes-men' to run varsity

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