Wrangles surrounding the management of the University Nairobi have deepened after a State officer distanced herself from recent appointments.

In a statement to newsrooms, Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala said the appointments made by the Prof Amukowa Anangwe-led university council were done without any consultations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Education confirms that there were no consultations between the University of Nairobi Council and the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education on any purported appointments by the chairperson of the council,” said Dr Inyangala.

According to Inyangala, the offices of vice chancellor and deputy vice chancellors are held in acting capacities.

Consequently, Inyangala maintained that Prof Jesang Hutchinson remains the acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Ayub Gitau is acting as Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs while Prof Francis Mulaa is the acting Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise.

The ministry further hinted at possible action against the university’s leadership, warning of “egregious violations” of the Universities Act. “Leadership must be exemplary—our universities shape Kenya’s future,” the statement read.

Inyangala cited Section 35(1)(a)(v) of the Universities Act, 2012, which requires public university councils to consult the Cabinet Secretary when appointing Vice-Chancellors and Deputy Vice-Chancellors. Such appointments must also follow a competitive process led by the Public Service Commission.

The statement by the ministry came hours after Anangwe appointed Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa as the acting Vice Chancellor for a six-month period effective immediately, pending the return of Kenya’s ambassador to Belgium Bitange Ndemo.

But in a dramatic turn of events, Prof Bitange turned down the appointment, describing the process as “unprocedural.”
He said he had consequently withdrawn his candidacy for the position.

“I wish to make it unequivocally clear that I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process. In light of these circumstances, I have formally withdrawn my candidacy for the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of Nairobi,” he said.