Uhuru's Hand in Revocation of UoN VC's Appointment

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, on Monday, January 20, hinted that President Uhuru Kenyatta could somehow have orchestrated the leadership tiff at the University of Nairobi (UoN).

According to a video that surfaced online, the CS, who was addressing members of the press, stated that the institution's council failed to consult his ministry over Professor Stephen Kiama's appointment leading to its revocation.

He further revealed that he had, earlier on before the revocation, met the president in Mombasa where Uhuru raised concerns regarding the UoN VC appointment saga insinuating that the state had been left out of the process.

"All senior appointments in the country... when the process is complete, the interviewing entity consults with the government.

Professor Stephen Gitahi Kiama pictured at the University of Nairobi during the launch of its council's 2019-2024 Strategic Plan of governance on Thursday, January 9.

"It is not an information process, it is consultation. If you look at the Ministry of Education, I can tell you that I do not have a government. The government belongs to Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta," stated Magoha.

"The government looks at many other things...The council acted in a manner that does not conform. There is a candidate they recommended and I said am consulting. They went ahead and made the appointment," He continued.

Prof Kiama's appointment was revoked on Friday, January 18, around the same time the president was finishing up his two-week-long stay in Mombasa.

“Prof. Kiama will continue dispensing his duties as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Human Resource and Administration at the university,” declared Magoha at the time.

On Sunday, January 19, Kiama bought ad space on local dailies to state that anyone who purported to carry out any business on behalf of the office of the vice-chancellor was an impostor.

"This is to inform all stakeholders and collaborators that any person or institution entering into a contract with any other person other than the legally appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof Stephen Kiama Gitahi does so at their own peril," reads a section of the notice.