University of Nairobi staff issue strike notice

By Georgina Mwikali

Tension is escalating at the University of Nairobi (UoN) as the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has issued a seven-day strike notice, demanding urgent action from the government to address what it describes as a “systemic breakdown” in leadership and governance.

The union accuses the university’s top leadership of mismanagement, corruption, and interference in the institution’s operations, which it claims are pushing the university towards collapse.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, February 19, Dr Richard Bosire, Chairperson of UASU’s UoN chapter, highlighted the severity of the situation. “

The University of Nairobi is dying because of looting,” he declared. “We cannot watch as this prestigious institution is systematically destroyed due to incompetence and corruption. If nothing is done in the next seven days, we will be forced to halt all academic and administrative activities.”

Amukowa Anangwe

The primary target of UASU’s demands is Amukoa Anangwe, the Chairperson of the University Council, who they accuse of obstructing university operations and fostering a toxic environment. Dr Bosire specifically criticised Anangwe for excessive interference in university management, pointing to an instance where the Council allegedly instructed Deans to make operational decisions.

 “This level of interference is unprecedented,” Bosire said. “It’s like running a university like a kiosk. The government needs to act swiftly to save UoN from complete disarray.”

UASU’s concerns extend beyond administrative interference.

Alleged land grab

The union has raised alarms over the potential seizure of UoN’s prime land, located near the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Hotel Boulevard.

According to Bosire, influential government figures are attempting to claim the land, which currently hosts graduate student housing. “We are demanding an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) into this matter,” Bosire said. “The university has already lost billions due to these shady dealings.”

The union also voiced strong opposition to a controversial 24-month “transformational strategy” introduced by the Chancellor.

The document proposes selling off university assets to settle debts, a move UASU views as a direct threat to UoN’s long-term viability. “Selling off assets to pay off debts is financial mismanagement at its peak,” Bosire warned. “This document undermines our five-year strategic plan, which was approved after public participation.”

The pressure is mounting as UASU also calls for the immediate removal of the Chief Operations Officer position, a post it argues has no legal basis within the university’s structure

. “This position is an illegal creation,” stated Dr Maloba Wekesa, UASU’s Secretary at UoN. “It is not recognised by the University Charter, and it’s part of the broader scheme of mismanagement.”

With ongoing leadership wrangles and accusations of financial mismanagement, UoN faces an uncertain future. The union warns that without swift government intervention, the university could follow in the footsteps of institutions like Moi University, which has also been plagued by financial crises. “We fear that if nothing is done, the University of Nairobi, as we know it, is dying,” Wekesa concluded.

The ball is now in the government’s court as UASU’s demands grow louder.