UASU Gives UoN 7 Days Ultimatum to Disband Council or Face Strike.
The University of Nairobi has reacted to the strike notice issued by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), condemning the threats as having ulterior motives. In a statement on Wednesday, the University Council accused UASU officials of using the strike to protect certain individuals and obstruct ongoing institutional reforms.
The university’s management claimed that UASU’s demand for the removal of University Council Chair Amukowa Anangwe was a deliberate attempt to shield corrupt union members and hinder the transformation of the institution. The strike was described as a “diversionary tactic” meant to destabilize university operations and derail investigations involving certain union officials.
John Orindi, Director of Corporate Affairs, stated that some individuals benefiting illegally from the current system were resisting necessary reforms to maintain malpractice, corruption, and abuse of office. He urged university staff to refrain from supporting disruptive strikes that could hinder institutional progress.
The university maintained that the threats posed by UASU were merely an attempt to delay the ongoing transformation process and to protect union members under investigation for financial misconduct. The administration expressed confidence that the institution’s reforms were crucial for transparency and accountability.
Defense of University Council’s Role
Dismissing the allegations against Anangwe as baseless, the university clarified the roles of its governing bodies, including the Council, Chancellor, and Vice Chancellor. It emphasized that all decisions underwent lawful procedures, as outlined in the Universities Act.
Orindi explained that the Chancellor had advisory privileges under Section 12, sub-sections 3(c) and 3(d), allowing them to guide the Council for the institution’s improvement. Additionally, Section 18 highlighted the Council’s authority over recruitment, appointment, and promotions, which were beyond the Vice Chancellor’s jurisdiction.
He further noted that Section 18(9) permitted the Council Chair to communicate resolutions for implementation. This, he stressed, did not infringe upon the Vice Chancellor’s role as the institution’s academic and administrative leader.
The university urged UASU to allow investigative agencies to complete their probe without interference. Orindi emphasized that due process must be followed and that external agencies should be permitted to conclude their findings impartially.
Furthermore, the university clarified that the Chancellor served on a pro bono basis, receiving no salary or benefits. He was a full-time CEO with independently provided housing, and his security entitlements were on par with the Vice Chancellor and other senior officers.
UASU’s Ultimatum and Accusations
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) had given the University of Nairobi a seven-day ultimatum, citing continuous violations of regulations. The union has declared that in the absence of immediate intervention, all university operations will come to a halt.
Addressing the press on Wednesday, February 19, UASU’s University of Nairobi chapter insisted that unless the University Council is disbanded, they will stage protests. The chapter’s chairperson, Dr. Richard Bosire, urged Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to act swiftly and remove the council members without delay.
The union is particularly calling for the removal of University Council Chair Amukoa Anangwe, whom they accuse of deliberately obstructing the university’s functions. Bosire emphasized that urgent action was necessary, expressing the union’s unwillingness to passively witness the university’s decline.
UASU alleges that high-ranking government officials are conspiring to seize university land. This land, located near Hotel Boulevard along James Gichuru Road and opposite the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), currently houses graduate apartments.
The union is urging the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the matter, claiming that mismanagement has resulted in massive financial losses for the institution.
Allegations of Leadership Interference
UASU has further accused the university council of obstructing the acting vice-chancellor from fulfilling her duties. The union contends that multiple power centers, including the chancellor, vice-chancellor, and council, are enabling the alleged mismanagement and looting.
Dr. Bosire insisted that both the council and vice-chancellor must adhere to regulations. Meanwhile, Dr. Maloba Wekesa, UASU Chapter Secretary at UoN, voiced concerns that if immediate action is not taken, the university could face an irreversible crisis.
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The University of Nairobi has been embroiled in leadership disputes for the past five years. Internal conflicts escalated last year when the university council initially suspended, then ultimately dismissed, Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama. These disputes have persisted, creating instability within the institution.
Currently, Professor Margaret Hutchinson serves as the acting vice-chancellor but now faces increasing pressure amid the ongoing turmoil. UASU remains firm in its demand for reforms, warning that failure to act will have dire consequences for the university’s future.
UASU Gives UoN 7 Days Ultimatum to Disband Council or Face Strike
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