UoN responds to Magoha, says reforms will go on as planned

The University of Nairobi has responded to a letter by Education CS George Magoha stating that it will go ahead with the reforms it had announced early this month.

While addressing the press on Tuesday, July 20, UoN Vice Chancellor Professor Stephen Kiama said the reforms are not in anyway a variation of the university’s charter and statutory framework adding that UoN followed all the necessary procedures when making the reforms.

The statement by UoN comes after Magoha suspended the radical reforms made by the University a few weeks ago.

In a letter dated July 14 addressed to all Chairpersons of University and Constituent College Councils, Vice-Chancellors and Principals of Constituent Colleges, Magoha cautioned the heads of schools to follow due process when making changes in their institutions.

“Proposed reviews that necessitate abolishing/establishing positions in the governance and administrative structures of a Public University or a Constituent College especially those not envisaged in the Universities Act 2012, must comply with the necessary legal framework governing such changes,” the letter read in part.

However, in his rejoinder, Proff Kiama said all universities know what they can do and what they can not do when it comes to making reforms.

“Whatever needs to go to the CS will go to the CS but the issue of responding to the law is the responsibility of the university council,” Kiama said.

The VC further quoted the university’s charter which give its council the authority to make reforms.

“The colleges set out in the Schedule shall be deemed to be the colleges of the University established in accordance with this Charter, provided that the Council may amend the Schedule from time to time on recommendation of Senate,” part of the charter reads.

Magoha moved to suspend the changes until the university is given a nod to carry one with the reforms by relevant authorities.

“In the interim, any action on the proposed changes as highlighted above should be kept in abeyance pending the relevant approvals or gazettement of relevant instruments,” Magoha said.

The Education CS further directed universities which have made changes in their institutions structure to liase with his office in matters regarding the modus operandum in which the changes were arrived at and proposed structures in human resource.