NAIROBI, Kenya — Senior members of the University of Nairobi Council, including former Cabinet Minister Prof. Amukowa Anangwe, have been arrested over allegations of abuse of office linked to the controversial reappointment of Daniel Brian Ouma as the university’s Chief Operations Officer.
Prof. Anangwe, along with Dr. Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi, Carren Kerubo Omwenga, Joel Kamau Kibe, and Dr. Darius Mogaka Ogutu, are accused of improperly using their positions as council members to reinstate Ouma, in direct contravention of a court ruling delivered last month.
According to charge documents filed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the suspects passed a resolution on April 19, 2024, reinstating Ouma and nullifying a prior letter from then Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama that had rescinded the appointment.
The resolution ignored a judgment by the Employment and Labour Relations Court delivered on April 8, 2024, in case ELRC JR 46 of 2023.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirmed that the five council members, along with Ouma, were arrested on Thursday and were being processed at the Integrity Centre before appearing in court later Friday to face formal charges.
Ouma, listed as a co-accused, faces an additional charge of unlawful acquisition of public property.
The prosecution alleges that between March 2015 and May 2025, he irregularly received over KSh 32 million in salaries from the University of Nairobi for roles he was not qualified to hold—including Deputy Director of Fundraising, Director of Advancement, and Acting Chief Operations Officer.
The arrests mark a significant escalation in the long-running leadership wrangles at the University of Nairobi and come amid wider scrutiny of governance in public universities.
The suspects are expected to take a plea at the Milimani Law Courts this afternoon.
The ODPP is being represented by state prosecutors, and former VC Prof. Kiama is listed as a key witness in the case.
