Kisumu/Nairobi – Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers have arrested University of Nairobi (UoN) Council Chairperson Prof. Amukowa Anangwe over allegations of abuse of office.
Anangwe was apprehended on Friday morning at Kisumu International Airport and was immediately airlifted to Nairobi for questioning at the EACC headquarters.
Three other UoN Council members were also arrested:
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Dr. Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi
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Daniel Brian Ouma
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Carren Kerubo Omwenga
The four are accused of being involved in the irregular appointment of Daniel Ouma as Acting Chief Operations Officer at the university. They are expected to be arraigned in court following interrogations.
Arrest Amid Leadership Crisis at UoN
The arrests come amid heightened leadership tensions at UoN, particularly surrounding the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor.
On Thursday, the Public Service Commission (PSC) clarified that it had conducted a competitive recruitment process for both the VC and Deputy VC positions. The PSC stated that top candidates were shortlisted, interviewed, and ranked, with the final list forwarded to the UoN Council Chairperson for appointment in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary, as per the Universities Act.
However, the leadership saga escalated after Prof. Bitange Ndemo rejected his appointment as Vice Chancellor, citing procedural flaws. A letter dated May 5, 2025, shows that the council had appointed Francis Jackim Mulaa as Acting VC for six months, reportedly to allow for Ndemo’s transition. Ndemo has since distanced himself from the appointment, saying the process was not transparent.
The unfolding crisis highlights ongoing governance challenges at one of Kenya’s premier institutions of higher learning.
