CS Julius Ogamba Fires 4 UoN Council Members
Ogamba officially removed Sally Toroitich, Ahmed Abdullahi, Parmain Ole Narikae, and Carren Kerubo from their positions with immediate effect.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has terminated the appointments of four University of Nairobi (UoN) council members, with the embattled university facing raging leadership issues.
According to a gazette notice published on April 11, 2025, Ogamba officially removed Sally Toroitich, Ahmed Abdullahi, Parmain Ole Narikae, and Carren Kerubo from their positions with immediate effect.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 36 (1)(d) 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—Sally Ngeringwony Toroitich, Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi, Parmain Ole Narikae (Dr), and Carren Kerubo Omwenga as Members of the Council of the University of Nairobi, with effect from 11th April, 2025,” the notice read.
Despite their appointments being revoked from the University of Nairobi council, the affected members were reassigned to new roles at other institutions. Sally Toroitich was appointed to the University of Embu council, while Ahmed Abdullahi secured a spot on the council of Mama Ngina University Training College.
The leadership crisis at UoN has been fueled by ongoing tensions between the university's management and its council. These internal wrangles eventually led to the removal of former Vice-Chancellor Stephen Kiama, whose time in office was marked by persistent clashes.
In the wake of his exit, five candidates have been shortlisted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) as potential successors. They include Prof. Bitange Ndemo, Prof. James Njiru, Prof. Duke Orata, Prof. Ayub Njoroge Gitau, and Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa.
The university council has also faced its share of upheaval. On February 21, Education CS Julius Ogamba dismissed Prof. Amukowa Anangwe as council chair.
The move came after growing pressure from the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the National Assembly’s Education Committee, who accused him of interfering with staff affairs, mismanagement, and poor governance.
"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 Amukowa Anangwe as the Chairperson of the Council of the University of Nairobi, with effect from the 21st February, 2025," the notice read.
The 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.
