Embattled University of Nairobi (UoN) Vice Chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama Gitahi has rubbished a recent communiqué issued by the university that he has preceded on leave effective April 19, 2024.
In a memo addressed to all members of staff and students of the university dated today, April 22, 2024, from the Office of the VC and signed by Prof Kiama, the UoN boss noted that the Friday April 19, 2024 memo was misleading and should be ignored. It was issued by the Director of Corporate Affairs John Orindi.
“My attention is drawn to a communication which was circulated to all members of staff and students by Mr. John Orindi on Friday April 19, 2024 at 6:27 p.m. claiming that the Vice-Chancellor had proceeded on leave. This matter has elicited a lot of publicity and has the potential to lead to apprehension to both members of staff and students,” said Prof Kiama in the memo.
“I call upon all members of staff and students to ignore the communication. In the meantime, I call on all of us to recommit to the talk ahead of driving the university to a truly globally competitive university transforming society,” he added.
In the Friday’s communication, Orindi stated that Prof Kiama had proceeded on leave effective April 19, 2024, which was a resolution reached during the university’s 144 Council meeting held the same day. It was resolved that the Dean Faculty of Engineering Prof Ayub Gitau was to take over as Acting VC.
“The University fraternity is called upon to support Prof Ayub Njoroge Gitau as he discharges his new responsibilities as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi,” read the April 19, 2024 communication.
This is not the first time confusion is reigning in the university’s top management since in September last year, Prof Kiama returned to office barely a month after applying for a six-month leave, an application that was submitted to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on July 18, 2023. Kiama had then said he needed to use up all his accrued leave days before his contract expired.
The six month leave was to be effective August 1, 2023, and was to run until January 2024. Prof Kiama had advised that Prof Julius Ogeng’o, Academic Affairs Deputy Vice Chancellor be the Ag. VC.
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