UoN staff threaten to strike in 7 days if university council is not disbanded

UoN staff threaten to strike in 7 days if university council is not disbanded

According to UASU, powerful government officials are plotting to seize university land located opposite the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and near Hotel Boulevard.

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has issued a seven-day strike notice to the University of Nairobi (UoN), demanding the immediate disbandment of the university council over claims of mismanagement and looting.

The union, led by its chairperson, Dr Richard Bosire, is calling for the removal of university council chairperson, Amukoa Anangwe, whom they accuse of sabotaging operations.

"We shall stop all activity at the university in seven days. The University of Nairobi is dying because of looting," UASU warned in a press conference on Wednesday.

According to UASU, powerful government officials are plotting to seize university land located opposite the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and near Hotel Boulevard on James Gichuru Road.

The land hosts graduate apartments, and the union claims its loss has cost the university billions. They are now calling for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the matter.

Power struggles

The union further alleges that the university council is blocking the acting vice-chancellor from performing her duties, creating power struggles that facilitate looting.

"The council and the vice chancellor must follow rules. We fear that if nothing is done, the University of Nairobi, as we know it, is dying," said  UoN UASU Chapter Secretary Maloba Wekesa.

As a result, UASU has called on Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to act immediately.

"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," UASU said.

UoN has faced leadership wrangles for the past five years, with disputes escalating last year when the university council suspended then-Vice Chancellor Stephen Kiama before eventually terminating him.

The current acting vice-chancellor, Prof Margaret Hutchinson, is now under renewed pressure as the crisis continues to unfold.

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