NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ministry of Education has rejected recent appointments made by the University of Nairobi Council, declaring the process unlawful.
Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, in a statement issued on Friday, confirmed that the Ministry was not consulted on the appointment of Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa as the substantive Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and acting Vice-Chancellor.
As a result, Dr. Inyangala emphasized that Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson will continue serving as the Vice-Chancellor, while the following appointments will remain in effect: Prof. Ayub Gitau as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Francis Mulaa as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation, and Enterprise), Prof. John Demesi Mande as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Human Resource and Administration), and Prof. Jackson Maalu as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance, Planning, and Development).
Dr. Inyangala stated that such appointments must be made in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary after undergoing a competitive process managed by the Public Service Commission.
The Ministry further maintained that no council meeting was held to discuss or make decisions on the appointments before the issuance of the letters.
The Ministry strongly condemned the appointments, citing a violation of the Universities Act of 2012, which mandates a legal procedure for appointments.
Dr. Inyangala warned that these violations would not be tolerated and would lead to appropriate actions in due course.
The Ministry’s statement follows an earlier announcement from Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, who declined his appointment as Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi.
Prof. Ndemo cited procedural irregularities in the appointment process.
Despite the University Council’s confirmation of his appointment on Thursday, Prof. Ndemo distanced himself, asserting that the necessary concurrence from the Cabinet Secretary had not been properly obtained.
Bitange Ndemo Rejects Gov’t’s Appointment as University of Nairobi VC: “Unprocedural Process” ynews.digital/headline-3/bit…
