Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has inaugurated the new University of Nairobi (UoN) Council, calling on its members to embrace teamwork, respect institutional boundaries, and avoid micromanaging the university’s day‑to‑day operations.
Speaking during the ceremony held at the UoN main campus, CS Ogamba emphasized that sound governance and mutual respect would be key to restoring stability at Kenya’s oldest and largest institution of higher learning. The newly constituted council will be chaired by Prof. Chacha Nyagoiti Chacha, a seasoned academic and administrator.
Ogamba cautioned the new team against repeating the missteps of the previous council, which he said had been plagued by overreach, internal disputes, and attempts to discipline staff members — actions that fell outside its legal mandate.
“Just do your job and don’t micromanage the management and staff of the university, as we saw with the previous team that purported to discipline staff and make such decisions,” the CS stated.
He attributed the dissolution of the former council to poor consultation, encroachment into management roles, and overall dysfunction, noting that these failures undermined UoN’s reputation and hindered efforts to build strategic partnerships.
Ogamba also raised concern over the institution’s high number of legal disputes, reportedly more than 200 ongoing court cases, warning that these cases are draining public funds and distracting the university from its academic mission.
“Your first assignment is to examine these cases and see how to handle them, including compromises that could ease the burden off the university and the public so that it is back to doing its job,” he advised.
The Cabinet Secretary urged the council to consult widely, including with the Office of the Attorney General, to ensure that its decisions are legally sound and aligned with the university’s long‑term interests.
The University of Nairobi is now poised for renewed governance and institutional stability under the leadership of Prof. Chacha and the reconstituted council, with the government expressing optimism that proper structures will help steer the university back on course.
Written By Rodney Mbua
