Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has revoked the appointments of four University of Nairobi (UoN) Council members, only to reassign them to other public universities. The decision, announced in a gazette notice dated April 11, 2025, underscores ongoing tensions surrounding leadership and governance at Kenya’s premier university.
The affected council members Sally Ngeringwony Toroitich, Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi, Dr. Parmain Ole Narikae, and Carren Kerubo Omwenga were dismissed from their roles at UoN with immediate effect. Ogamba exercised powers conferred by Section 36 (1)(d) of the Universities Act, 2012, in conjunction with Section 51(1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act.
However, in a swift move, the CS reassigned the same individuals to council roles in other institutions. Toroitich will now serve at the University of Embu, Narikae joins the University of Eldoret Council, Omwenga moves to Karatina University, and Abdullahi has been appointed to the Council of Mama Ngina University College. All appointments are valid until May 22, 2026.
These changes come amid simmering governance disputes at UoN. In February, the Ministry of Education annulled the appointment of Prof. Amukowa Anangwe as Council Chairperson following pressure from the University Academic Staff Union (UASU). UASU accused Anangwe of micromanaging university operations and obstructing the acting Vice Chancellor, prompting calls for the council’s dissolution to facilitate institutional reforms.
Anangwe, however, successfully challenged the annulment in court. Justice Bahati Mwamuye suspended the revocation notice and reinstated Anangwe, allowing him to return to office pending further legal proceedings.
The restructuring of council appointments reflects Ogamba’s efforts to stabilize university governance while appeasing stakeholders. Analysts believe the reassignments are a strategic attempt to quell unrest at UoN without sidelining experienced council members.
In a separate development, CS Ogamba appointed Asteri Angolo as a member of the National Biosafety Authority for a three-year term starting April 11, 2025, further signaling ongoing restructuring in key education and research institutions.
The Education Ministry is expected to make more appointments in the coming weeks, as it continues to address leadership challenges across public universities.
