UoN refutes allegations of vested interests takeover
The University of Nairobi (UoN) has dismissed claims that individuals with vested interests have taken over the institution, saying its governance structures are intact and functional.
In a statement, the university said all decisions are made in accordance with the law as outlined in the Universities Act, 2012, and the University Charter, 2013.
UoN defends governance structures
“Contrary to the baseless allegations made, decisions and measures are taken at different levels as per the law and stipulated procedures,” UoN said.
The statement also clarified that the Chancellor, University Council and Vice Chancellor have distinct roles as per the law. Section 12, subsections 3(c) and 3(d) of the Universities Act outlines the Chancellor’s advisory role to the Council for the betterment of the university.
UASU wants UoN council dissolved
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has demanded the immediate dissolution of the UoN council, citing leadership struggle and mismanagement.
At a press conference on Wednesday, UASU members said multiple power centers have emerged in the university, causing confusion and weakening the institution’s administration.
“Now we have three centers of power at the University of Nairobi. It is confusing and they are weakening the management of the University,” a UASU member said.
UASU also called on the EACC and Ministry of Education to intervene.
“The University of Nairobi is dying. We are not ready to watch our institution collapse. Ministry of Education must act now,” UASU said.
UoN admits financial challenges, defends transformation agenda
UoN acknowledged that financial constraints are affecting all public universities, including itself.
To address the challenges, the Cabinet recently approved a 24-month transformation agenda which will be executed under the university council’s leadership with guidance from the Chancellor.
The agenda includes:
- Academic program reforms to increase efficiency.
- Revenue diversification including commercialization of idle assets.
- Enhancing productivity and financial sustainability.UoN said these initiatives have gone through consultations with staff, students and industry partners and a town hall meeting will be held to collect more stakeholder input.
UoN: Threats are meant to derail transformation
UoN termed UASU’s concerns as diversionary tactics to derail its ongoing transformation agenda.
“Stakeholder input is ongoing. However, threats issued are to impede the transformation agenda,” the statement read.
UoN asked UASU to allow investigations to proceed without interruptions, assuring that all governance matters will be handled through legal channels.
The university also clarified that the Chancellor serves in a pro bono capacity, gets no salary or benefits and his security entitlements is the same as that of the Vice Chancellor and other senior officials.
What’s next for UoN?
With the UoN leadership and UASU at loggerheads, the focus now is on the Ministry of Education and other investigative bodies to determine the way forward. The planned town hall meeting may also shed light on governance and financial issues facing Kenya’s oldest university.