MPs Probe Leadership Crisis at University of Nairobi, Gives 7-Day Ultimatum

MPs Probe Leadership Crisis at University of Nairobi, Gives 7-Day Ultimatum.

Members of Parliament are scrutinizing the leadership challenges at the University of Nairobi.

The National Assembly Education Committee, chaired by Julius Melly, is examining the operations of the university council, which have reportedly caused disruptions in the institution.

The committee met with the council but adjourned their session prematurely, citing the council’s lack of preparedness.

Mr. Melly reported that the university officials were unprepared and were given seven days to submit the required documents. He noted that the council admitted they needed more time, prompting the committee to schedule another meeting for the following Thursday.

Documentation and Key Concerns

The university council failed to provide critical documents requested by the MPs. These included:

• Human resource manuals used for staff management.
• Detailed information on student enrollment, faculty, and support staff.
• Approved budgets and the status of disbursements for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years.
• Information on pending bills and the university’s management structure.

MPs highlighted the absence of substantive office holders in critical roles, such as the Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor.

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They criticized the council for relying heavily on acting officials, which violates human resource regulations that limit acting appointments to six months. The MPs also questioned instances where officials were sent on compulsory leave without following due process.

Acting Appointments Violate Regulations

The MPs expressed dissatisfaction with the university council’s approach to leadership appointments. Acting officials have been in place for prolonged periods, which Mr. Melly stated is against human resources instruments that permit acting roles for a maximum of six months.

He also pointed out that compulsory leaves had been imposed on some individuals without adhering to proper procedures.

The University and Academic Staff Union (UASU) UoN chapter has called for the disbandment of the university council. Their demand follows the council’s decision on October 15 to terminate the appointment of Prof. Stephen Kiama as the Vice Chancellor and a professor at the institution.

This decision provoked a strong backlash from a section of MPs, including Mukurwe-ini MP John Kagucia and Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto. They openly challenged the legality of the council’s move and its implications for the university’s stability.

The MPs stressed the importance of allowing Prof. Kiama to serve out his term, which is scheduled to end on January 5, 2025.

Next Steps

The committee has given the university council until the following Thursday to provide the necessary documentation.

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The outcome of this inquiry is expected to shed light on the leadership issues plaguing one of Kenya’s premier institutions of higher learning.

“We have given the university council until next Thursday to prepare adequately, the claim they did not have time to prepare. One major issue is the management structure which is a violation of the Universities Act,” said Melly.

MPs Probe Leadership Crisis at University of Nairobi, Gives 7-Day Ultimatum.

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