The University of Nairobi (UoN) management is facing criticism over delays in appointing a Vice Chancellor and other senior officials, despite the Public Service Commission (PSC) having completed interviews and shortlisted candidates months ago.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) says the leadership vacuum is undermining merit‑based recruitment and opening the door to political interference in key appointments, raising serious concerns about transparency and governance.
UASU Chapter Secretary Maloba Wekesa accused the administration of deliberately failing to advertise the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) in charge of Human Resources.
“This is NOT an inadvertent omission. This is a deliberate omission which, in our opinion, sows a new seed of disorder that UASU fears, portends for another round of unseen hands intent on controlling staff hiring and eventually the destiny of the University,” Wekesa said.
He questioned how the university is being run following the exit of Prof Stephen Kiama, noting that Prof Margaret Hutchinson has continued to hold the VC’s office in acting capacity.
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“The office of the vice chancellor has been without a substantive holder, Prof Margaret Hutchinson holding it in acting capacity, efforts to employ a VC were undertaken with Prof Bitange Ndemo named for the role that he did not take. Only this week, another recruitment process for that position, as well as those of two DVCs, was started. UASU is reading a sinister motive in this move,” he said.
Wekesa stressed that recruitment must follow merit and professionalism.
The union also raised alarm over staff previously investigated by the Ethics and Anti‑Corruption Commission (EACC).
“Even in our own university, there are officers who have been investigated by the EACC for having fake papers, and we hear they are sneaking back. EACC must take action, the government must take action,” Wekesa said.
Payroll disputes remain another major grievance. UASU claims that despite the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) setting the retirement age for academic staff at 74 years, many senior scholars remain off the payroll a year after signing. The union is demanding unconditional reinstatement and full payment of delayed dues.
UASU has also condemned the re‑advertisement of the VC position, describing it as wasteful and opaque.
“Why re‑advertise the VC position when the process was already done? This is a waste of public resources and undermines transparency,” said UASU Chapter Chairman Dr Richard Bosire.
Bosire warned against political influence, nepotism or ethnicity dictating appointments.
“The vice chancellor is central to steering the university and ensuring stability, and delaying the appointment only prolongs governance uncertainty,” he said.
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Wekesa added that prolonged acting appointments in key offices including Finance, Personnel, Estates and Procurement, reflect a wider pattern of mismanagement.
The union further demanded reinstatement of about 30 senior staff removed from the payroll after the CBA signing in November 2024.
“We demand the unconditional reinstatement of this cadre of staff to the university payroll, full payment of their delayed dues, and their readmission into the scheme of service as stipulated in the 2021–2025 CBA,” Wekesa said.
Wekesa also warned against interference by the chancellor or council members, citing a court order barring the chancellor from operational engagement.
UASU has urged the Ministry of Education to ensure transparent recruitment and uphold governance and labour obligations.
“We will not allow political manoeuvring to undermine the university’s future. The staff and students are the backbone of this institution, and their interests must come first,” Wekesa said.
UASU is now demanding substantive appointments for all top management positions, including VC, Finance Officer, Human Resource and Personnel Officer, Estates Manager and Procurement Manager.
The union has warned that failure to address the concerns could trigger industrial action, raising the risk of renewed instability at Kenya’s oldest public university.
By Masaki Enock
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