Court reinstates Council Chair Anangwe…..
The High Court has issued temporary orders reinstating Professor Amukowa Anangwe as the University of Nairobi (UoN) Council Chair, following the revocation of his appointment last week.
The stay orders, which also bar the appointment of a replacement, were issued on Wednesday, pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Anangwe, who was appointed in May 2023 for a three-year term, argued that the annulment of his appointment by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba was unlawful.
“ Let Kenyans know the revocation was an unlawful step by the Cabinet Secretary and the previous Cabinet Secretaries have always lost in court whenever they have attempted to do so because the Universities Act does not empower the Cabinet Secretary/Education to purport to revoke the appointment of a Council member’ he said in a statement.
UASU Strike
He further accused the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), which has been pushing for his removal of orchestrating a scheme to oust him from office, vowing to protect his reputation.
On February 19, the UoN Chapter of the union threatened to call for a strike if Professor Anangwe was not removed from the position, citing alleged abuse of office, including interference with the university’s daily operations.
The lecturers also criticized a 24-month transformational strategy by the university’s Chancellor, Professor Patrick Verkooijen and adopted by the Council, claiming it was developed without staff involvement.
They argued that the document violated university statutes and could be used as a pretext to sell off university assets, including land.
Speaking at a press briefing, Dr. Richard Bosire, Chairperson of the UoN Chapter, highlighted a range of issues including a deepening leadership crisis, which they attributed to the existence of “three centres of power,” financial irregularities, interference in management, and a toxic work environment.
He accused both the Council and the Chancellor of conspiring to mismanage the university and called for an immediate investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Bosire emphasised that UoN has a known five-year strategic plan approved by both the treasury and education ministries launched after public participation.
He complained that the institution, which he said is on the brink of collapse, had been burdened with unnecessary expenditures.
“We don’t understand why the Chancellor should suddenly move into a high-end house paid for by the university, demand security and essentially become a cost centre for an institution in dire financial straits” he said.
With the escalating troubles, Anangwe has turned the tables on the union, claiming it is being used to destabilize the institution.
“It is both troubling and shameful that UASU has opted to portray itself as a victim, while the reality indicates that they have played an active role in the mismanagement and corruption that has beset our university” he noted.
“ I call upon UASU to come clean regarding the massive corruption allegations involving their top officials. We believe it is these illicit activities that are being wielded to destabilize the Council” he added.