Top UoN officials deny abuse of office and fraud charges in court
The Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Council, Amukonwa Anangwe, and his co-accused, Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi, Carren Kerubo Omwenga and Daniel Brian Ouma, have pleaded not guilty to different charges levelled against them.
According to the charge sheet, Anangwe, Ahmed and Carren, with two others who were not in court, were charged with abuse of office contrary to section 46 as read with section 48 (1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Act 2003.
Further, the charge sheet states that three, while at the University of Nairobi Council Chamber, within Nairobi County on April 19, 2024, jointly and severally used the authority of their office as the University of Nairobi Council Members to improperly reappoint Daniel Ouma in his position.
The accused are also said to have nullified a letter issued by Professor Stephen Kiama, rescinding Ouma’s appointment as Acting Chief Operations Officer contrary to the judgement delivered on April 8, 2024, vide ELRC JR 46 of 2023.
Meanwhile, Brian Ouma was charged with unlawful acquisition of public property, contrary to section 45(1) (A) as read with section 48(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act 2003.
Ouma is accused of unlawfully acquiring public property worth Ksh32,459,406.15, being salary paid to him by the University of Nairobi, for two different positions that he knew he was not qualified to hold.
The accused is said to have received a salary for the position of Deputy Director (Fundraising, Donor Relations and Partnership), Directorate of University Advancement, Director Advancement and for the Acting Chief Operations Officer.
“On various dates between March 2015 and May 8, 2025, within Nairobi City County, you unlawfully acquired public property worth Ksh32,459,406.15, being salary paid to you by the University of Nairobi for the positions you knew you were not qualified to hold,” part of the charge sheet read.
Plea for bond
The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) did not oppose the accused being released on bond.
However, they urged the court to bar the accused from accessing their offices at the University of Nairobi and be compelled to deposit their passports in court.
The defence lawyers, led by Abdirizak Mohamed and Jim Akach, vehemently opposed the DPP’s prayers, urging the court to ignore them.
In their argument, they told court that it should not allow the students of the University of Nairobi to go without a council stating that such a decision will cripple the institution.
Lawyer Abdirizak, representing Anangwe, argued that his client is aged and might need to travel outside the country for medical attention; thus, depositing his passport will be endangering his life.
Milimani Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Celesa Asis Okore ruled that the four should deposit their passports in court.
She stated that depositing their passports does not infringe their rights, but it is the court’s way of ensuring they are within the jurisdiction.
Additionally, she barred the accused from accessing their offices to ensure they do not tamper with the ongoing investigations.
Magistrate Okore released Anangwe, Ahmed and Carren with a bond of Ksh1 million and an alternative of a cash bail of Ksh500,000.
Brian Ouma, who is the sixth accused, was released on a bond of Ksh5 million with an alternative cash bail of Ksh3 million.
The matter will be mentioned after 14 days to confirm compliance.
