The University of Nairobi has dismissed its embattled Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Gitahi Kiama, ending a turbulent four-year leadership stint.
The decision came months before the expiration of his contract, capping a year-long leadership wrangle that has rocked the institution. Kiama’s tenure as the vice chancellor was set to end on January 5, 2025.
The termination took effect on September 27, as communicated by the University Council through its chairman, Prof. Amukowa Anangwe. The announcement was made public in an October 14 letter, which indicated that the reasons for the dismissal had been promptly shared with Kiama, who was appointed in January 2020 as the university's eighth Vice-Chancellor.
Anangwe in his letter stated, “Reference is made to the communique issued by the Council to the university community on August 2, 2024. The Council wishes to inform the university community that Prof. Stephen Gitahi Kiama's services as an employee of the University of Nairobi were terminated effective September 27, 2024.”
He added, “Reasons for his termination were promptly communicated to him. The university community should rest assured that whenever called upon, the Council will rise to the occasion and discharge its mandate faithfully and within the beacons of law.”
Kiama’s tenure has been marked by controversy, with conflicts over his leadership style, management decisions, and frequent tussles with the university’s governing council. In August, the council suspended him for three months, citing ongoing investigations and the need for stabilising the institution's leadership. However, the latest move to permanently terminate his contract highlights the depth of the internal struggle.
The council has named Prof. Margaret Hutchinson as acting Vice Chancellor, tasked with steering the institution through the leadership transition. The appointment follows months of uncertainty, including a series of disputes that began when Kiama unexpectedly returned from leave in September 2023 and attempted to oust Prof. Julius Ogeng’o, who was temporarily filling in as Vice-Chancellor.
The leadership dispute reached its peak in April 2024, when the council placed Kiama on compulsory leave, appointing Prof. Ayub Njoroge Gitau as acting Vice-Chancellor. Kiama, however, contested the move, insisting that the directive was unofficial and that he was still the rightful Vice-Chancellor. His defiance only deepened the leadership crisis, prompting the council to reiterate the leave directive in May, which Kiama again ignored.
Behind the scenes, the power struggle involved not just university officials but also government figures who reportedly intervened to keep Kiama in office at various times. Despite his attempts to secure an extension of his contract, sources within the university hinted that the council was not keen on renewing it beyond its January 2025 expiry.
Students at the university have also played a role in the saga, staging protests and accusing Kiama of mismanagement and poor service delivery. Their grievances over issues such as deteriorating infrastructure and unresponsive administration added pressure on the council to act decisively.
The abrupt dismissal comes at a critical time for the university, which has been grappling with financial challenges and calls for reforms in its governance structure. As the institution turns a new chapter under Hutchinson's interim leadership, all eyes will be on how swiftly it can restore stability and rebuild trust.
