Court Overturns CS Ogamba's Decision To Fire UoN Council Chairperson
Additionally, the judge ruled that the directive to Ogamba would remain in effect until the case filed by Anangwe challenging his dismissal was heard.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The High Court has overturned a decision by Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba to dismiss the University of Nairobi Council Chairperson Professor Amukowa Anangwe.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, February 26, High Court Justice Bahati Mwamuye ordered the immediate reinstatement of Anangwe as chairperson of the UON council and prohibited Ogamba and the Attorney General from appointing a replacement.
Additionally, the judge ruled that the directive to Ogamba would remain in effect until the case filed by Anangwe challenging his dismissal was heard.
Anangwe had taken legal action to suspend Ogamba’s decision to remove him from the university council, a move that followed complaints from the University Academic and Staff Union (UASU).
Fired University of Nairobi (UoN) council chairperson Professor Amukowa Anangwe during a past event. /UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
On February 19, UASU issued a statement threatening to strike and disrupt services at the university, citing what they described as systematic violations of the law.
Furthermore, the union, through its UON chapter chairperson Richard Bosire, urged the Cabinet Secretary to intervene, accusing Anangwe and the council of undermining university operations.
"We shall stop all activity at the university in seven days. The University of Nairobi is dying because of looting!" UASU warned.
"We call upon CS Migos Ogamba to take quick action because we are not ready to watch and see the university die before our eyes."
They also alleged that the council, in collaboration with influential government officials, was plotting to seize land opposite the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and another parcel near Hotel Boulevard along James Gichuru Road.
In response, Ogamba revoked Anangwe’s appointment through a gazette notice, less than a week after the concerns were raised.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 36 (1) (a) of the Universities Act, 2012 as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Education revokes the appointment of Professor Amukoya Anangwe as the Chairperson of the Council of the University of Nairobi," the notice read in part.
Ogamba's move was in response to increasing pressure from the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the National Assembly’s Education Committee, who accused Prof. Anangwe of interfering with staff affairs, mismanagement, and governance disputes at the university.
In an effort to restore order at the university, UASU gave the ministry a seven-day ultimatum to remove Prof. Anangwe or face demonstrations.
UASU raised concerns about unilateral decisions, unauthorized contract extensions, and the contentious Chief Operations Officer position. The union alleged that the former chairperson had overstepped boundaries by assuming the vice-chancellor’s responsibilities and making key decisions.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly committee criticized the Ministry of Education for neglecting the university’s management issues, warning that continued inaction could jeopardize its stability. The NA had also given the CS seven days to present a report outlining steps taken to resolve the leadership crisis.
