UoN Council suspends Prof Kiama for three months, appoints Hutchinson as acting Vice-Chancellor

The University of Nairobi Council has suspended its Vice Chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama for three months, following a meeting held on Friday.

While addressing the media at the institution, the Council chairman Prof Amukoa Anangwe said Kiama failed to meet the requirements for a second term and, therefore, does not qualify to remain in office.

“We resolved that Kiama's request for a second term was not validly communicated and the contents were not satisfactory. So he did not qualify for a review for the second term. He does not qualify to be considered by the Council. The University of Nairobi at its meeting today resolved to suspend the Vice Chancellor,” Anangwe said.

In Kiama's absence, the Council has appointed Prof Margaret Hutchinson as the acting Vice-Chancellor.

Earlier in the day, UoN students staged demonstrations calling for Kiama's removal, accusing him of mismanagement and poor service delivery. Anangwe also revealed that the Council faced difficulties accessing the Chambers for their meeting.

"It had been locked by the VC and we had to seek assistance from the security to facilitate access to the chambers and we were able to do so,” he said.

Anangwe also highlighted that the ongoing drama and internal wrangles crippling the institution have tarnished its image. “These breaches which have amounted to drama and noise have put the university under a negative image,” he added.

Kiama’s woes began in September 2023 when he cut short his leave and returned to duties earlier than anticipated. This came after the UoN Council approved his request for a six-month sabbatical leave, from August 1, 2023, in accordance with his contract and a directive from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). During his leave, the Council appointed Julius Ogeng’o to act in his place.

However, Kiama proceeded on leave for 23 working days and returned to work on September 1, 2023, earlier than expected. Upon his early return, he proceeded to evict Ogeng’o who had acted in his capacity and declared himself "well-rested and rejuvenated" on social media platform X.

Again on April 19, 2024, during its 144th meeting, the Council placed Kiama on compulsory leave and appointed Prof. Ayub Njoroge Gitau as acting Vice-Chancellor. Kiama later rejected the communication about his leave, calling it unofficial and urged his staff and students to ignore it.

He said the matter has attracted publicity and has the potential to lead to apprehension among staff and students.

“My attention is drawn to a communication which was circulated to all members of staff and students by John Orindi on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 6.27 pm claiming that the Vice Chancellor had proceeded on leave. I call upon all members of staff and students to ignore the communication,” reads the letter by the VC.

He urged the university community to commit themselves to advancing the goal of becoming a globally competitive institution that contributes significantly to societal transformation.

“In the meantime, I call on all of us to recommit to the task ahead of driving the university to a truly globally competitive university transforming society,” he said.

Kiama took over the helm of the UoN on January 5, 2020, from Peter Mbithi, who was sent on compulsory leave. In a letter signed by the then Chair of the Council, Julia Ojiambo, he was to serve for a five-year term until 2025.