University of Nairobi (UoN) Staff Union Secretary-General Maloba Wekesa has raised serious concerns over the recent suspension of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama. Dr. Wekesa questioned the motives of the UoN Council and certain student leaders, noting that the university is currently on recess, making the involvement of students suspicious.
“The media announcements made by the UoN Council and purported student leaders are very disturbing,” stated Dr. Wekesa, highlighting that the absence of students during the recess period means someone intentionally mobilized them for a political statement. He also pointed out that the current student leadership, UNSA, has not weighed in on the matter, and the so-called student leaders are former leaders at best.
Dr. Wekesa criticized the deployment of police to the university during recess, calling it an affront to the academy. He also took issue with the appointment of Brian Ouma as Chief Operations Officer, a position he claims is nonexistent and controversial within the university structure.
Dr. Wekesa emphasized that the university should be a place of free speech and intellectual discourse, not a “circus.” He criticized the Council Chair, Prof. Amukowa Anangwe, for failing to provide effective leadership and being influenced by Ouma.
Prof. Kiama was suspended on Friday for three months by the University Governing Council. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson was appointed as acting vice-chancellor. The council cited ongoing investigations into Prof. Kiama’s conduct, including allegations of misconduct and insubordination, as reasons for the suspension.
Prof. Anangwe noted that Prof. Kiama had failed to take a 60-day leave as demanded by the council, which could undermine the integrity of the leave management system. He also mentioned that Prof. Kiama’s request for a second term was deemed invalid due to improper communication and failure to meet necessary standards.
The council encountered difficulties accessing the chambers on the 19th floor, which had been blocked by Prof. Kiama. Security had to be enlisted to resolve the issue. This comes two months after the university insisted on Prof. Kiama’s ouster, following weeks of court-issued stay orders on filling vacant positions.
Prof. Ayub Njoroge Gitau had been serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor during that period. Prof. Kiama returned to work the following day only to find police in his office, who informed him they were under instructions not to allow him in, leading to a protest.