Power Games at UON: Inside the Pressure, Politics, and Prime Land Interests
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By Archeadious Kubai
A storm is brewing at the University of Nairobi (UON), with high-stakes political interference, covert pressure, and behind-the-scenes power plays disrupting the appointment of the institution’s new Vice Chancellor.
At the center of the controversy is Prof. Bitange Ndemo, who emerged top in the recent interviews with 84 points. Sources now reveal that Prof. Ndemo received a late-night call from Chief of Staff Felix Koskei, allegedly urging him to decline the appointment. The move has sparked outrage among stakeholders who view it as a deliberate effort to derail due process and reinstall Prof. Margaret Hutchinson Jesang — the outgoing acting VC — whose extended stay has already raised legal red flags.
Prof. Jesang’s term as acting Vice Chancellor officially ended on May 3, 2025. Yet, she has remained in office for over nine months — a violation of labor laws which limit acting appointments to a maximum of six months. This prolonged tenure is now drawing scrutiny, with insiders alleging that it’s not just about leadership, but access to UON’s valuable land holdings.
The University of Nairobi, sitting on prime real estate in the capital, has long been a quiet target of vested interests. Critics believe keeping the university in a state of leadership limbo creates a vacuum where major asset decisions can be influenced without proper oversight.
The alleged interference hasn’t gone unchallenged. University Council Chair Prof. Amukowa Anangwe has reportedly resisted attempts to sideline the council’s authority and bypass established procedures. Tensions between him and Mr. Koskei have escalated, with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba caught in the middle.
“The interviews were done, the top three names were submitted to the appointing authority through the Public Service Commission. Any move to bypass that is unlawful,” a source close to the council said.
The situation raises broader concerns about governance in public universities, particularly the growing trend of executive interference in autonomous institutions. Legal experts warn that continued delays or manipulation of the VC appointment process could expose the government to legal challenges and damage UON’s global academic standing.
As questions swirl over who is really pulling the strings — and why — one thing is clear: the struggle for the soul of Kenya’s premier university is about more than academics. It’s about power, politics, and property.
Is UON becoming a battleground for political influence masked as administrative delays? The coming days may provide answers — or more questions.
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