The University of Nairobi (UoN) is back in the news after several top officials were arrested over mismanagement and abuse of office. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested UoN Council Chairperson Professor Amukowa Anangwe and three others as part of a widening probe into controversial leadership decisions at the institution.
Who Was Arrested?
Prof. Anangwe was arrested in Kisumu and flown to Nairobi and was taken into custody alongside:
- Dr. Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi (Council member)
- Carren Kerubo Omwenga (Council member)
- Brian Ouma (Chief Operations Officer)
All four appeared before the Milimani Law Courts on Friday, May 16 and were charged.
More Charges Coming
Two others—Joel Kamau Kibe and Dr. Darius Mogaka Ogutu—will also face charges in this case. This suggests a bigger investigation that may involve more officials involved in recent administrative decisions at the university.
What Triggered the Arrests?
The case is about the reappointment of Brian Ouma as Chief Operations Officer, a decision made by the council that allegedly ignored both legal and institutional procedures.
Here’s what happened:
- Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama had issued a letter nullifying Ouma’s reinstatement.
- A court ruling from April 8, 2024 by the Employment and Labour Relations Court declared the reappointment invalid.
- Despite these directives, the council—led by Prof. Anangwe—reappointed Ouma, allegedly in defiance of the law.
Court Drama Unfolds
The accused refused to take plea, saying a standing court order still protects Ouma’s tenure. This legal technicality has added another layer of complexity to an already messy administrative crisis.
The EACC says the council members intentionally violated the court’s decision, raising questions on governance and accountability at one of Kenya’s top universities.
Background: A Leadership Crisis
The University of Nairobi has had leadership crisis. The reappointment saga has further complicated things within the institution and strained relationships between the university’s organs.
This puts the university in a tight spot as it tries to regain public trust and stabilize its leadership.
Conclusion
The arrest of UoN council chairperson and top officials is a big deal for the institution. As the EACC investigates more will come out, possibly implicating others.
This is not just a court case—it’s a reminder of the importance of following procedure in public institutions. UoN’s leadership is on the line, let’s see how this plays out.
