The Ministry of Education has dismissed recent appointments by the University of Nairobi (UoN) Council, terming them unlawful and unprocedural.
In a statement issued on Friday, Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, declared the appointment of Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and acting Vice-Chancellor null and void, citing lack of consultation with the Ministry.
Dr. Inyangala affirmed that Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson remains the acting Vice-Chancellor, and confirmed the current management team to include Prof. Ayub Gitau as DVC (Academic Affairs), Prof. Francis Mulaa as DVC (Research, Innovation and Enterprise), Prof. John Demesi Mande as DVC (Human Resource and Administration), and Prof. Jackson Maalu as DVC (Finance, Planning and Development).
She emphasized that appointments of such nature must follow a competitive process conducted by the Public Service Commission and require the concurrence of the Cabinet Secretary for Education. “No Council meeting was convened to deliberate on these appointments, making the process unlawful,” she noted, citing violations of Section 35(1)(a)(v) of the Universities Act, 2012.
The Ministry warned that the irregularities constituted a usurpation of Council authority and would lead to appropriate action.
This announcement follows a separate statement by Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, who declined his appointment as UoN Vice Chancellor. Prof. Ndemo said the process lacked transparency and due procedure, prompting his withdrawal from consideration despite confirmation of his appointment by the University Council.
He revealed that he sought clarity from Council Chair Prof. Amukowa Anangwe on whether the appointment had received the required ministerial concurrence, only to later question its legitimacy.
The Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the law and corporate governance in managing public universities.
Written By Rodney Mbua
