Senior University of Nairobi Council officials charged with abuse of office
The charges allege that on or about April 19, 2024, at the University Council Chambers, the officials misused their authority to benefit Okeyo by passing a resolution reinstating him. This action reversed an earlier decision by Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Kiama, who had revoked Okeyo’s appointment.
The Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Council, Professor Amukowa Anangwe and three other senior officials were on Friday charged with abuse of office and unlawful acquisition of public property.
This follows a court decision declining to stop an application seeking to halt their prosecution.
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According to the charge sheet, Professor Anangwe, Dr Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi, Carren Kerubo Omwenga, and Dr Darius Mogaka Ogutu are accused of abusing their positions on the University Council by irregularly reappointing Daniel Brian Ouma Okeyo as Acting Chief Operations Officer (COO).
The charges allege that on or about April 19, 2024, at the University Council Chambers, the officials misused their authority to benefit Okeyo by passing a resolution reinstating him. This action reversed an earlier decision by Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Kiama, who had revoked Okeyo’s appointment.
This resolution is said to have contravened a judgment issued on April 8, 2024, by the Employment and Labour Relations Court (JR 46 of 2023).
In a separate charge, Okeyo is individually accused of unlawfully acquiring public property.
Between March 25, 2015 and May 8, 2025, he is alleged to have illegally received Sh32,459,406.15 in salaries while serving in various senior positions—including Deputy Director of Fundraising, Director of Advancement, and Acting COO—despite lacking the requisite qualifications.
The charge sheet lists Professor Kiama and Jackson Mwai as key witnesses in the case.
Defence lawyers for the accused appealed for lenient bond terms, citing their clients’ advanced age and health conditions.
The court also heard that Professor Anangwe had previously served as Minister for Education under President Moi’s administration, which the defence argued demonstrated good moral character and minimal flight risk.
Appearing before Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Celestine Okore, all four accused pleaded not guilty.
Professor Anangwe, Dr Ahmed, and Ms Kerubo were each released on a bond of Sh1 million or a cash bail of Sh500,000, while Dr Mogaka was granted a bond of Sh5 million or cash bail of Sh3 million.
Professor Anangwe was arrested by EACC detectives at Kisumu International Airport and flown to Nairobi for questioning at the Integrity Centre.
The EACC alleges that the officials overstepped their authority within the University Council and ignored a formal objection from the then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kiama, before proceeding with Ouma's appointment as COO.
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