Governance crisis deepens at UoN as Education CS revokes appointments of council members
The changes follow weeks of pressure and unrest at the University of Nairobi, where internal tensions over leadership and governance have drawn public attention.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has revoked the appointment of four members of the University of Nairobi Council in a move that comes amid ongoing governance issues at the institution.
In a gazette notice dated April 11, 2025, Ogamba announced the revocation of the appointments of Sally Ngeringwony Toroitich, Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi, Dr. Parmain Ole Narikae, and Carren Kerubo Omwenga. The decision takes effect immediately.
More To Read
At the same time, the four former council members have been re-assigned to serve in the councils of other public universities. Toroitich will now serve as a member of the Council of the University of Embu, while Dr. Narikae has been appointed to the Council of the University of Eldoret. Omwenga moves to the Council of Karatina University, and Abdullahi has been appointed to the Council of Mama Ngina University College.
Their new terms are effective from April 11, 2025, and run until May 22, 2026.
The changes follow weeks of pressure and unrest at the University of Nairobi, where internal tensions over leadership and governance have drawn public attention.
In February, the Ministry of Education annulled the appointment of Prof. Amukowa Anangwe as the Council chairperson, following a strong push from the University Academic Staff Union (UASU).
UASU had accused Prof. Anangwe of interfering with university operations and blocking the acting Vice-Chancellor from carrying out her duties. The union, led by Dr. Richard Bosire, issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding that the Education CS dissolve the Council, accusing it of paralysing the university.
“We call upon CS Migos Ogamba to take quick action because we are not ready to watch and see the university die before our eyes,” said Dr. Bosire during a press briefing in February.
He also alleged that senior government officials were plotting to grab a section of the university’s land, located opposite the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and near Hotel Boulevard along James Gichuru Road.
In response to the threats of protest, the University Council accused the union of advancing selfish interests. It claimed that the push to remove Prof. Anangwe was intended to shield certain UASU members from investigations into alleged misconduct and to disrupt reforms being implemented at the university.
The Council described the planned strike as a “diversionary tactic” meant to destabilise the institution and derail accountability efforts.
Top Stories Today
