Student leaders at the University of Nairobi have come out to oppose a decision by the institution’s council to send Vice Chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama on leave.
“We are treating this change as a malicious act because the decision to send the Vice Chancellor on terminal leave was not discussed in the council meeting on April 19,” the student body said.
In a resolution in April, the university’s council ordered that Kiama proceed on terminal leave and be replaced by Prof. Ayub Njoroge Gitau in an acting capacity.
UoN students oppose Vice Chancellor Kiama’s leave. pic.twitter.com/IUj8wP861A
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Council orders leave
The council’s chairperson Amukowa Anangwe had indicated that Kiama must take the leave over allegations of mismanagement of the university’s resources and intimidation of staff.
“The council of the University of Nairobi, as the employer, is deeply concerned about the continued harassment, intimidation and misuse of staff and resources by unauthorised persons, despite its earlier pronouncement on the matter,” Anangwe said in April.
In the communication, the university council also directed 24 members of staff whose promotions and deployments were previously handled by Kiama to return to their former workstations.
Kiama dismissed decision
However, on April, 22, Kiama dismissed the council’s decision to send him on leave, urging students and members of staff to ignore the orders.
“This matter has elicited a lot of publicity and has the potential to lead to apprehension to both members of staff and students,” said Kiama.
“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.”
In September 2023, the council gave Kiama a directive to proceed on six-month leave from August 1 pending the expiry of his contract, only for him to return to the university after just one month.
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