UoN Special Council meets to discuss key jobs dispute

A top organ of the University of Nairobi (UoN) has convened a meeting to discuss the way forward following disagreements over the appointment of deputy vice chancellors (DVCs).

The UoN council meeting is set for today.

“You are invited to attend a Special Council meeting on Thursday January 31, 2019 at 9am,” an invite sent to council members read in part.

Disagreements revolve around Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed’s unilateral appointment of three DVCs.

Besides the DVC appointments, also on the agenda is a review of previous council minutes and discussions on the supplementary budget.

The top organ will either embrace Amina’s appointments and award those picked with contracts, or reject the appointees, setting the stage for legal battles.

Last week, the council protested the decision by Amina to ignore candidates who topped in the interviews, only to pick those who either came number two or three.

The council has also petitioned Attorney General Paul Kihara for an advisory as to whether the CS violated the law.

Yesterday, Amina reportedly stood her ground on the appointments and got the backing of the Universities Academic Staff Union. “Uasu urges the council to immediately accept the newly-appointed DVCs. We support the CS and ask her to stand firm. The law is on her side,” said an official.