Uasu pushes for appointment of UoN vice-chancellor

(L) UASU-UoN Chair Dr Ben Nyamchoga, Secretary George Osanjo and Treasurer Wainaina Githii address funding crisis at UoN. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] The Universities' Academic Staff Union (UASU) University of Nairobi chapter has called on the university council and the Ministry of Education to immediately appoint the substantive Vice Chancellor, together with the deputy, to address the prolonged leadership vacuum and deteriorating state of the university. The union representatives lamented that since September 2024, the university has been led by a Vice- Chancellor in acting capacities as well as the deputy vice-chancellor position. Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi yesterday, George Osanjo, UASU UON Chapter secretary, said the long absence of substantive leadership has undermined the stability of the university. "The latest report by the Controller of Budget, dated February 2026, indicates that the University of Nairobi is burdened with debts amounting to more than KSh 15.9 billion, which represents the highest current liabilities among public universities in Kenya." He added that the alarming financial position poses an imminent threat to the sustainability of the institution and yet nobody from the University of Nairobi leadership has commented on this report or taken any proactive action to mitigate the financial risks at the University of Nairobi. "The consequences of this leadership vacuum and the financial crisis facing the university are evident across the university, declining staff welfare, deteriorating student services, and a damaged financial and academic reputation. The University community is witnessing a steady erosion of standards, morale and reputation," he noted. UASU-UoN officials address media on funding crisis at University of Nairobi. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] They also called for a financial rescue package in the forthcoming budget, and an enhanced government funding and financial support to stabilise the University and prevent an institutional collapse. "As UASU-UoN Chapter, we noted last week the intervention by the Government to support Moi University financially through a Sh6 billion rescue package. While rescuing Moi University, our younger sister institution, is very commendable, it raises a question: why has the University of Nairobi, which faces even greater challenges, with far higher financial debts, not received similar urgent attention? Why is the University of Nairobi leadership silent on its finances? situation? Why is the University Council mute? Why is the Alumni Association quiet?" he asked. On his part, the chairman of UASU, Ben Nyamchonga, said that the acting appointments at UoN have created an environment where principal officers are unable to effectively advocate for the institution. "This silence, whether by design or circumstance, is detrimental to UoN at a time when strong and substantive leadership is most needed. We note that the Public Service Commission has already conducted two rounds of interviews for the position of the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellors for UoN. Despite the conclusion of this process, no substantive appointments have been made at UoN. This delay is unacceptable," he said. He added that the potential collapse of the University of Nairobi would represent a profound national loss. It is unacceptable that the University of Nairobi, which is central to Kenya's socio-economic development, should be allowed to suffer under the watch of its stakeholders. "UASU reiterates that the University of Nairobi must be rescued and restored to its rightful place. We must secure the future of the University of Nairobi to serve the country today and in future," he reiterated

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