Ministry of Education dismisses Vice Chancellor appointment made by UoN Council, issues new order

Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Inyangala, in a statement on Friday, said the Ministry was not consulted on the appointment of Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa as the substantive Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and acting Vice-Chancellor.

Following this, the PS stated that Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson will continue serving as Vice-Chancellor, with Prof. Ayub Gitau as the 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 Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance, Planning and Development).

The PS added that such appointments are done in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary, after a competitive process conducted by the Public Service Commission.

“The Ministry will work with all agencies and stakeholders to ensure that our institutions of higher education are managed in accordance with the edict of the law and in a manner that is consistent with principles of corporate governance,” said the PS.

She added 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

The Ministry maintained that the purported appointments 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. 5. These egregious violations of the law shall not be condoned and will form the basis for appropriate action in due course," added the PS.

The statement from the Education Ministry follows an earlier one by Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, declining his appointment as the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi (UoN), citing procedural irregularities.

Prof. Ndemo's appointment was confirmed by the University Council on Thursday, which announced that he would succeed Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson upon completion of his diplomatic posting.

However, in a statement released on Thursday, Prof. Ndemo distanced himself from the appointment, describing the process as “unprocedural.” He said he had consequently withdrawn his candidacy for the position.

Prof. Ndemo revealed that upon receiving the appointment letter, he sought confirmation from Council Chairman Prof. Amukowa Anangwe on whether the appointment had received the legally required concurrence from the Cabinet Secretary for Education. The Chairman reportedly assured him that the concurrence had been sought and the necessary documents submitted.