EACC threatens action against UoN Council for ignoring advisory on controversial appointment

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has threatened legal action against the University of Nairobi Council for ignoring an advisory to revoke the appointment of Acting Chief Operating Officer Brian Ouma over questionable academic qualifications.

The commission warned the concerned officials that it may be forced to instigate legal proceedings if they don't adhere to its guidelines.

The anti-graft body reiterated that the law empowers it to require public entities to take appropriate measures to stop or prevent corruption and other violations of the law adding that the administrative actions recommended to the University were anchored in law and informed by investigations.

UoN came under scrutiny for ignoring EACC’s advisory and proceeding with the appointment of Ag COO Ouma.

On Thursday, through its Director of Corporate Affairs John Orindi, the University refuted the allegations, describing them as a baseless witch-hunt.

The university clarified that Brian's degree is from an accredited institution and is fully recognized, and the only concern raised pertains to Brian's KCSE grade.

Orindi revealed that the Acting COO holds a master's degree from the University of Nairobi and is currently pursuing a PhD at the same institution. He has also completed key management courses essential for senior leadership roles.

Investigations by the commission found that the council appointed an individual with questionable qualifications to a senior management role since Ouma holds a bachelor’s degree that is not recognized in Kenya.

“The tenure of Brian Ouma as acting chief operations officer at the University of Nairobi is irregular. The Bachelor of Philosophy degree certificate from Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Italy, which Ouma used to secure employment at the university, is not recognized in Kenya," EACC said in a letter addressed to UoN's Council.

The Commission for University Education (CUE) also confirmed that Pontifical Urbaniana University is not accredited in Kenya, rendering its degrees unrecognized.

EACC further highlighted that Ouma was admitted to Pontifical Urbaniana University for his Bachelor of Philosophy degree despite holding a mean grade of C- in his KCSE, which falls below the qualifications for direct entry into a degree program at a Kenyan university.

The EACC further noted that the creation of the COO role, along with other positions, violated the Universities Act of 2012. It emphasized that the UoN Council should have followed statutory procedures through the Cabinet Secretary to vary and align its management roles accordingly.