Education CS Ogamba promises to resolve University of Nairobi’s governance crisis

The Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, has pledged to address the governance issues at the University of Nairobi within the next week. During his remarks at Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri on Friday evening, CS Ogamba described the situation at UoN as a governance problem, attributing it to an individual who has taken the institution and the ministry hostage.

“Last night (Thursday), I slept at 1a.m. because I have a bad problem with UoN. But I have assured Kenyans that within the next week, I will solve that problem,” stated Ogamba.

“We have one human being who is doing things that he knows he shouldn’t do and holding us at ransom. We will not allow politics to control us. We are going to make sure that we resolve that problem, and if it takes long, well and good, but I will solve it,’ added the CS.

Through a letter dated May 5, the UoN Council, which is chaired by Prof Amukowa Anangwe, announced the appointment of Prof. Bitange Ndemo as the new Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university. Prof. Ndemo was set to replace the acting VC Prof Margaret Hutchinson. Similarly, the Council appointed Prof Francis Mulaa as acting VC for a six-month period effective immediately, pending Prof. Ndemo’s handing over as Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium.

But, via a LinkedIn post, Prof. Ndemo distanced himself from the appointment, which he termed as un-procedural. Prof Ndemo confirmed receiving an appointment letter from Prof Anangwe but he noted the letter did not have an approval from CS Ogamba.

“On May 5, I received a letter from Hon. Prof. Amukowa Anangwe, Chairman of the University Council, appointing me as Vice Chancellor. I sought confirmation from the chairman regarding the Minister for Education’s concurrence as required by law. Prof. Anangwe assured me that it was being addressed and that he had submitted the necessary documents an hour earlier,” said Prof. Ndemo.

“Additionally, the chairman had already issued a release letter to Prof. Mulaa to act as VC until my release from my current post. The announcement triggered a flood of congratulatory messages on social media. However, I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process and have withdrawn my candidacy for the position,” added Prof. Ndemo.

In his remarks, the Education CS noted that the wrangles were costing the university funding opportunities from partners and donors.

He cited an example where the French government had committed to investing in the institution but had forestalled due to the governance challenge at the institution.

“There are people who have lined up wanting to bring money to the UoN for research, for Artificial Intelligence, for Environmental Studies, and for the Leadership Institute. The French government wants to give 36 million Euros. But they are asking, how can we give money to these people if this university is dysfunctional?” The CS divulged.

Nevertheless, Ogamba said that his ministry would resolve all the issues threatening the lifeline of universities and ensure that all universities continue to function.

“We are going to solve all those issues. I have given Kenyans a promise that we are not going to let any of our universities go down. I am saying that universities that have had problems, we are going to get a solution for them,” stated Ogamba.