University of Nairobi Council terminates Prof. Stephen Kiama’s tenure as vice chancellor

The University of Nairobi Council has announced the termination of Prof. Stephen Kiama's tenure as vice chancellor.

In a memo dated October 14 and addressed to the university community, Council Chairman Amukowa Anangwe stated that Kiama ceased to hold the position on September 27, 2024.

The Council referenced a communiqué issued to the university community on August 2, 2024, which highlighted that Kiama's services as an employee of the University of Nairobi were officially terminated effective September 27, 2024.

Anangwe noted that the reasons for Kiama's termination were promptly communicated to him.

“The Council wishes to inform the university community that Prof. Stephen Gitahi Kiama's services as an employee of the University of Nairobi were terminated effective September 27, 2024. Reasons for his termination were promptly communicated to him,” he said.

He assured the university community that the Council is committed to fulfilling its mandate and upholding the law.

“The university community should rest assured that whenever called upon, the Council will rise to the occasion and discharge its mandate faithfully and within the beacons of law,” Anangwe said.

In August, the University Council suspended Kiama for a period of three months, noting that he had failed to meet the requirements for a second term and, therefore, does not qualify to remain in office.

The Council went ahead and appointed Prof. Margaret Hutchinson as the acting vice-chancellor.

“We reached a resolution 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 then, following a meeting with the Council.

Kiama assumed the position of vice-chancellor at the University of Nairobi on January 5, 2020, succeeding Peter Mbithi, who was placed on compulsory leave. He was appointed for a five-year term that was set to conclude in 2025, as indicated in a letter from the then Council Chair, Julia Ojiambo.

University of Nairobi Chancellor, Professor Patrick Verkooijen and Prof Stephen Kiama, whose tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the institution was terminated on October 15, 2024. (Photo: UoN)

However, his position in the institution has not been without challenges. Kiama's woes began in September 2023 when he unexpectedly cut short his sabbatical leave and returned to work ahead of schedule.

The University of Nairobi Council had previously approved his request for a six-month sabbatical starting August 1, 2023, in accordance with his contract and directives from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

During his absence, the Council appointed Julius Ogeng’o to serve as acting vice chancellor.

Despite being on leave for 23 working days, Kiama returned to his duties on September 1, 2023, earlier than anticipated.

Upon his return, he dismissed Ogeng’o and proclaimed himself "well-rested and rejuvenated" on the social media platform X.

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 rejected the notice regarding his leave, labelling it unofficial, and urged both staff and students to disregard it.

He expressed concern that the situation had garnered significant attention and could create anxiety among the university community.

“My attention is drawn to a communication circulated to all members of staff and students by Mr. 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,” Kiama stated in his letter.

He further encouraged the university community to focus on their collective goal of enhancing the institution's global competitiveness and contributing 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 institution transforming society,” he added.

Even though the council has terminated Kiama’s position, it has not yet named a new vice chancellor.