Magoha Reverses All University Restructuring

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Education CS George Magoha addresses the Maseno Graduation class of 2020 on April 30, 2021
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All changes introduced by the University of Nairobi risk reversal after Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha put a halt to all restructuring in public universities.

Education CS explained that the ministry had not been consulted and no gazettement had been done.

In a letter dated June 14, Prof Magoha told vice-chancellors, principals of constituent colleges, chairpersons of institutions, and councils of constituent colleges,  that the proposed reviews need university charters to either be amended or done through legal notice.

Vice Chancellor Stephen Gitahi speaking during UoN's 64th graduation ceremony on December 11, 2020
Vice Chancellor Stephen Gitahi speaking during UoN's 64th graduation ceremony on December 11, 2020
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He also stated that reviews that necessitate abolishing and establishing new positions in governance and administrative structures must comply with the necessary laws governing such changes. 

He also stated that such changes must be forwarded to the ministry of Education for consultation through the Commission for University Education for gazettement in line with the University Act 2012.

Magoha explained that once proposed amendments are approved by the universities council, they must be forwarded to the Cabinet Secretary no later than three months.

"This communication supersedes any other communication," reiterated the Education CS.

The directive comes after the UoN council chair, Julia Ojiambo and Vice-Chancellor Stephen Kiama announced changes and restructuring at the institution on July 9, 2021.

In the new structure, UoN replaced five offices of deputy vice-chancellors with two positions of associate vice-chancellors. In addition, all colleges were abolished and the 35 faculties were reduced to 11.

Speaking to Citizen TV on July 12, Prof. Kiama stated that the restructuring was done to help reduce unnecessary costs incurred by the university which he revealed was heavily indebted.

He also dismissed claims from academic staff who stated that they were not consulted in the restructuring process.

"We had discussions in the senate where we agreed on various things and lecturers were represented by their  chairmen, by their deans, by their principals and if you go to the university website, the organogram is there," Kiam Remarked

UoN also increased fees for postgraduate courses and cut down the number of courses offered by the university from 579 to 324.

On July 17, the Ministry suspended fee increment by universities and urged them to postpone the plans until 2022

University Of Nairobi
University Of Nairobi
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