Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has revoked the appointment of Prof. Amukowa Anangwe as the Chairperson of the University of Nairobi (UoN) Council, just days after university staff staged protests against his leadership.
The move comes amid mounting pressure from faculty members and workers who voiced their strong opposition to Anangwe’s leadership style and decision-making.
Prof. Anangwe’s appointment had been met with widespread resistance from UoN staff, who accused him of being unfit to lead the prestigious institution.
Protesters claimed that his leadership was characterized by poor governance, lack of inclusivity, and failure to address critical issues affecting the university.
Following days of intense demonstrations within the university, CS Migos was left with no choice but to act swiftly. In an official statement, the Education Ministry confirmed that Anangwe’s appointment had been revoked, citing the need to maintain stability and smooth operations at the University of Nairobi.
“We have taken this step in response to concerns raised by stakeholders at the University of Nairobi. Our priority is to ensure that the institution runs efficiently and that all voices within the university community are heard,” the statement read.
UoN staff and student representatives have welcomed the decision, terming it a victory for the institution. “We stood our ground, and now justice has prevailed. The university deserves leadership that prioritizes academic excellence and staff welfare,” said one university staff member.
However, sources close to Prof. Anangwe have criticized the revocation, claiming that political and external influences played a role in his removal. “This was nothing more than a well-coordinated attack to push him out. His reforms were seen as a threat to certain individuals,” a close associate alleged.
The revocation of Anangwe’s appointment now leaves a leadership vacuum at UoN, with the government expected to announce a replacement soon. Speculation is already rife on who will take over the powerful position, with calls for a more consultative approach in selecting the next Council Chair.
With tensions still high, all eyes are now on CS Migos to see whether his next appointee will bring the much-needed stability to Kenya’s top university—or if the cycle of leadership wrangles will continue.
