NAIROBI, Kenya — A fresh leadership crisis is mounting at the University of Nairobi (UoN) as the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) raises red flags over the transparency and legality of the ongoing recruitment for the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor positions.
The union has accused the university administration of intentionally failing to advertise the critical position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) for Human Resources.
UASU contends that this omission creates a vacuum vulnerable to external manipulation, threatening the institution’s autonomy.
Allegations of “unseen hands”
Speaking on Thursday, UASU Chapter Secretary Dr. Maloba Wekesa characterized the failure to advertise the DVC Human Resources role as a calculated move rather than an administrative oversight.
“This is NOT an inadvertent omission. This is a deliberate omission which, in our opinion, sows a new seed of disorder that UASU fears, portends for another round of unseen hands intent on controlling staff hiring and eventually the destiny of the University,” Dr. Wekesa stated.
The union expressed concern over the governance of the institution following the departure of former VC Prof. Stephen Kiama.
While Prof. Margaret Hutchinson currently serves in an acting capacity, the union noted that previous attempts to fill the seat, including the appointment of Prof. Bitange Ndemo, who did not take up the role, have left the university in a state of limbo.
A demand for meritocracy
Dr. Wekesa emphasized that the union would not tolerate appointments driven by external interests or tribalism. He issued a stern warning against the return of administrative meddling that characterized previous leadership regimes.
“Because we are a university that believes strongly in merit, any recruitment done should be on the basis of merit, professionalism, not the basis of ethnicity, not the basis of political expediency,” he added.
UASU further alleged that individuals with questionable academic backgrounds are attempting to regain control of the university. Dr. Wekesa called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to intervene:
“Even in our own university, there are officers who have been investigated by the EACC for having fake papers, and we hear they are sneaking back. EACC must take action, the government must take action.”
Payroll disputes and retirement age
Beyond leadership appointments, the union highlighted a deepening financial rift involving senior scholars. Despite a 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that adjusted the retirement age for academic staff to 74 years, UASU claims several senior professors remain excluded from the payroll a year after the agreement was signed.
The union is now demanding the immediate, unconditional reinstatement of these scholars and the full disbursement of all withheld dues. UASU has signaled that any further violation of university statutes or the CBA will be met with “swift and legal action.”
