Published on May 13, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 11 months by Agencies for Kenya Online News
The Ministry of Education has disowned recent appointments made at the University of Nairobi by the chair of the university council, Prof Amukowa Anangwe, terming them unlawful and in breach of the Universities Act, 2012.
In a statement on Friday, the Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Beatrice Inyangala, who is also a member of the council, said Prof Anangwe did not follow proper legal procedures and that the ministry was not involved in decisions to make the appointments.
On Wednesday, Prof Anangwe issued letters appointing Prof Bitange Ndemo as vice chancellor and Prof Francis Mulaa as acting VC before the former takes up the position. Prof Ndemo is Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union.
However, Dr Inyangala now says that there were no consultations between the council and the Cabinet Secretary as required by law. She also said that Prof Margaret Jesang Hutchinson remains acting VC of the UoN.
Prof Ndemo also issued a statement saying that although Prof Anangwe had written to him informing of his appointment as VC, he had withdrawn his candidature owing to its unprocedural nature.
“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 of the purported appointments,” said Dr Inyangala in the statement.
“The Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education, sits on the University of Nairobi Council. We can therefore firmly confirm that no council meeting was ever convened to discuss and make decisions on appointments at the University of Nairobi, prior to the issuance of the purported letters of appointment by the chairperson of the University of Nairobi council,” she said.
The Education Ministry condemned the actions by Prof Anangwe as a “clear usurpation of the role of the council” and warned that the violations would not be tolerated.
“Consequently, the purported appointments as done by the chairperson of the University of Nairobi Council are a clear usurpation of the role of the Council, contrary to the provisions of the Universities Act, 2012. The purported appointments are also contra-statute for not adhering to the mandatory procedure for appointment as outlined in Section 35(1)(a)(v) of the Universities Act, 2012. These egregious violations of the law shall not be condoned and will form the basis for appropriate action in due course,” the PS warned.
In a letter dated May 5, 2025, and signed by Prof Anangwe addressed to Prof Mulaa, he appoints him to serve as acting VC until Prof Ndemo’s formal release from his ambassadorial duties. He copied to letter to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Dr Inyangala. He sent another memo to the CS informing him of Prof Ndemo’s appointment.
“Prof Elijah Bitange Ndemo is in the process of handing over his current position as Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium… This is in exercise of the council authority granted to the undersigned,” the letter reads.
However, the MoE emphasised that appointments to top leadership positions in public universities must be conducted through a competitive process led by the Public Service Commission and finalised, in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary.
In posts on Facebook and X, Prof Ndemo revealed that he had been among the top three candidates shortlisted for the VC position following interviews conducted on March 21, 2025.
“I sought confirmation from the chairman (Prof Anangwe) regarding the Minister for Education’s concurrence, as required by law. Prof Anangwe assured me that it was being addressed and that he had submitted the necessary documents an hour earlier. The announcement triggered a flood of congratulatory messages on social media. However, I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process and have withdrawn my candidacy for the position,” Prof. Ndemo stated.
The Ministry confirmed that, pending formal appointments, the University of Nairobi’s leadership remains in acting capacity with Prof. Jesang Hutchinson serving as the Vice-Chancellor; Prof. Ayub Gitau as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs); Prof. Francis Mulaa as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Enterprise); Prof. John Demesi Mande as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Human Resource and Administration); and Prof. Jackson Maalu as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance, Planning and Development).
