Power struggle erupts at varsity over selection of vice chancellor

University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Jesang' Hutchinson when she appeared before the National Assembly Committee on PIC Governance and Education at Parliament on April 9, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] An attempt to resolve a long-running leadership standoff at the University of Nairobi turned more melodramatic after the man picked to take over as vice chancellor turned down the offer. And hours later, Prof Francis Jackim Mulaa, who was on Thursday appointed to take the office in acting capacity was ejected from to clear way for Prof Margaret Jesang Hutchinson. Prof Bitange Ndemo withdrew from the race after he had been announced as the new VC on Thursday, dashing hopes of a stable succession after months of push and pull. Insiders said that Prof Ndemo, who is Kenya's current ambassador to Belgium, was instructed to step down. But in his statement, Ndemo cited procedural irregularities in the appointment process. "I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process and have withdrawn my candidacy for the position," he stated. Prof Mulaa had occupied the vice chancellor's office after he was appointed in acting capacity by Council chairman Prof Amukowa Anangwe. This is after the term of Prof Hutchinson who occupied the office in acting capacity lapsed. It emerged that the Ministry of Education had extended the term of Prof Hutchinson by the time Anangwe appointed Mulaa. And on Friday, hopes to resolve the long-running leadership standoff at the University of Nairobi were dealt a double blow, further plunging the institution into uncertainty. In a surprise turn, the Ministry of Education rejected all recent appointments made by the University Council, including the appointment of Mulaa. This effectively nullified the council's efforts to assert authority over the institution's top leadership. The Saturday Standard established that police officers, ejected Mulaa to create space for Prof Hutchinson. Sources at the ministry said Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala gave firm instructions that Prof Mulaa be ejected from office and that Prof Hutchinson be seated at the VC office. This was barely hours after the PS released a statement rubbishing all the appointments by the Council. Ps Inyangala's letter however did not quote sections of the law that the ministry relied on to appoint Prof Hutchinson as acting VC, with reports that the matter is headed to court for interpretation. In her statement, PS Inyangala disowned two letters from the University of Nairobi (UoN) Council Chairperson that appointed Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa as Deputy VC (Academic Affairs) and acting Vice-Chancellor. Before this, Prof Mulaa was the DVC, Research, Innovation & Enterprise. However, Inyangala quashed these appointments and noted that Prof. Ayub Gitau remains Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Francis Mulaa as DVC (Research, Innovation & Enterprise), Prof. John Demesi Mande DVC (HR & Administration) and Prof. Jackson Maalu DVC (Finance, Planning & Development). Inyangala said the council acted without Consultation with the Cabinet Secretary, as required by law. Inyangala further noted that no Council Meeting was held to approve the appointments. "The purported appointments were done without any consultation with the Cabinet Secretary, as required by law. No Council meeting was convened to approve these decisions. This is a blatant disregard for due process, and such actions will not be condoned," the PS stated. The confusion ensued after Prof Ndemo, widely considered the front-runner for the substantive VC position-abruptly withdrew from the race. Ndemo emerged as the top candidate for the job according to the university council, following interviews for the top post conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC). In aletter to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Anangwe asked the CS to finalise the appointment process of Prof Ndemo. "The Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Council appoints Prof Elijah Bitange Ndemo, as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi with effect from 2nd May, 2025, subject to ratification by the Council," the letter reads. According to the letter seen by the Standard, Ndemo emerged top in a PSC merit list with a score of 84 percent, ahead of Prof Duke Orata (73 per cent) and Prof Francis Jackim Mulaa (66.7 percent). Sources at the university now want the second candidate appointed after withdrawal of Prof Ndemo. The leadership wrangles are the latest in a series that have rocked the institution in the past two years and saw the expulsion of former VC Stephen Kiama. The latest developments have intensified the power struggle between the university's management and the government, and left the institution hanging in the balance. The Ministry has hinted on taking action on the UoN leadership warning of "egregious violations" of the Universities Act. "Leadership must be exemplary-our universities shape Kenya's future," The statement by Inyangala reads. Prof. Anangwe in a letter had asked Ogamba to finalise the appointment of Prof Ndemo in a letter dated May 5. However, insiders indicate that Ogamba denied the Council a request for a special sitting to give way to the appointment of Prof. Ndemo as the next VC of the university. At the same time, a section of students accused the Ministry of Education of meddling and encroaching on the university council's mandate. The students warned that the Ministry interference has run down the institution and led a loop in execution of services in the university which has affected students. "When we go to the dean and we have some issues, he will tell us that he is not able to solve some of the issues because holders of the relevant offices are in acting capacity and they are not able to execute some of their mandate," Ngetich Soi, one of the students said. He added that the appointment of a substantive VC would ensure a return to normalcy and effective service delivery. On Friday, academic university staff took a swipe at the university council for failing to follow due process in the appointment of a substantive VC. According to Article 36 (1) of the Universities Act 2012, the Council consists of 9 members- Chairman, PS Education/Rep, PS Treasury/Rep, five members appointed by CS Education and the VC as ex-officio member and Secretary to Council. However, Richard Bosire, UASU chairman, UoN chapter, said since the wrangles, PS Education/Rep, PS Treasury/Rep, the VC have not been attending the council meetings. Also adding to the council troubles is the withdrawal of two of four Council members appointed by the CS Education whose appointment was revoked by Education CS Julius Ogamba and have expressed lack of interest to challenge the revocation. This, Bosire argues, has reduced the council to a lame duck and lacks legitimacy in exercising any of its mandate. "The council cannot meet; it's not properly constituted. Another thing regarding this appointment is also that the process requires that there is concurrence between the minister and the council. So, without the council, the council chair cannot purport to have done the appointments on behalf of the council, because he is not the council," Bosire said in a phone interview with the Standard. At the same time, a section of students accused the Ministry of Education of meddling and encroaching on the university council's mandate. The students warned that the Ministry interference has run down the institution and led a loop in execution of services in the university which has affected students.

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