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The remarkable rise and subsequent decline of the UoN’s research performance has reignited debate about leadership, governance and academic standards in Kenya’s premier institution of higher learning.
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At the center of the discussion is former Vice-Chancellor Stephen Kiama, who led the university between 2020 and 2024.
The remarkable rise and subsequent decline of the University of Nairobi’s research performance has reignited debate about leadership, governance and academic standards in Kenya’s premier institution of higher learning.
At the center of the discussion is former Vice-Chancellor Stephen Kiama, who led the university between 2020 and 2024.
When Prof. Kiama assumed office, the quality and impact of research at the University of Nairobi had largely stagnated. According to the Times Higher Education rankings, the institution’s Research Quality score stood at 16.8 in 2019.
Under his leadership, however, the university recorded a dramatic turnaround. By 2022, the Research Quality score had surged to an impressive 96.7, positioning the institution among Africa’s strongest performers in research impact and demonstrating the potential of focused leadership, strong academic standards, and a commitment to research excellence.
The gains, however, proved difficult to sustain amid growing governance disputes.
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In August 2023, succession and management battles intensified after the University Council, chaired by Amukowa Anangwe, sent Prof. Kiama on compulsory leave. As governance wrangles took center stage, concerns emerged over weakening research oversight and quality control mechanisms.
The disputes escalated further in April 2024 when the Council again placed Prof. Kiama on compulsory leave and appointed Ayub Gitau as Acting Vice-Chancellor. Prof. Kiama was subsequently suspended in October 2024.
During this period, the university’s Research Quality score reportedly dropped sharply from 96.7 to 45.9, effectively wiping out much of the progress achieved over the previous four years.
Two years after Prof. Kiama’s departure, the University of Nairobi is yet to regain its former standing. The institution’s current Research Quality score stands at 39.7, raising concerns among academics and education stakeholders about the future of research excellence at the university.
Observers point to declining publication standards as one of the key factors behind the downturn, with concerns that some faculties have increasingly accepted publications in questionable journals, a trend that risks undermining the university’s global reputation.
Despite the challenges that followed his tenure, Prof. Kiama’s leadership remains a notable example of how a Kenyan university can compete globally in research production, knowledge generation and adherence to international academic standards.
His tenure also serves as a reminder that politics, governance disputes and management crises can have far-reaching consequences for institutions of higher learning.
As the University of Nairobi seeks to rebuild its academic standing, many within the higher education sector continue to view the Kiama era as a period of ambition, excellence and renewed confidence in the university’s research mission.
By Kithinji Njeru
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