The University of Nairobi (UoN) is once again at the center of controversy, with the institution’s staff threatening to down tools over claims of financial mismanagement, governance failures, and interference in university affairs by top officials.
On Wednesday, the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) UoN Chapter issued a seven-day strike notice, demanding urgent intervention from the government. The union accused Chancellor Prof. Amukowa Anangwe and the University Council of abuse of office, with UASU Chairperson Dr. Richard Bosire calling for their immediate removal.
At a press briefing, Dr. Bosire painted a grim picture of the institution’s leadership crisis, highlighting financial irregularities, a toxic work environment, and excessive interference in university operations. He alleged that Prof. Anangwe was sidelining the acting Vice-Chancellor, obstructing key operations, and directly influencing faculty matters a move he termed as “unprecedented overreach.”
“The Chancellor is running the University of Nairobi like a kiosk,” Bosire remarked, further urging the Education Committee of Parliament to censure Prof. Anangwe and his council members for their role in the ongoing crisis. He also called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to launch an immediate probe into alleged financial mismanagement.
A key point of contention is the Chancellor’s 24-month transformational strategy, which the Council adopted despite opposition from staff. The plan includes creating special-purpose vehicles to evaluate university assets, with a proposal to sell them off to settle outstanding debts. UASU believes this is a ploy to facilitate the auctioning of university property, particularly land, under the guise of debt repayment.
“This document is full of bluster and illegalities, contravening the University Charter and Statutes,” Dr. Bosire asserted. He further criticized the financial burden imposed by the Council’s bi-monthly meetings, whose costs are covered by the university, and raised concerns over the Chancellor’s relocation to a high-end residence funded by the institution, complete with a security detail at the university’s expense.
UASU also demanded the revocation of the Chief Operations Officer position, which the union claims is irregular and not recognized by the Public Service Commission or the University Charter.
Dr. Bosire warned that if immediate action is not taken, the University of Nairobi risks following the same path as Moi University, which has faced severe financial distress. “Public universities must be protected from looting. The University of Nairobi is dying,” he stated.
As the deadline for the strike notice nears, all eyes are on the government and education authorities to see whether they will intervene and prevent an institutional shutdown.
