Education Committee questions University of Nairobi acting Vice Chancellor over management woes and pending bills

Education Committee questions University of Nairobi acting Vice Chancellor over management woes and pending bills 

𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 

The National Assembly Committee on Education has pressed the University of Nairobi (UoN) management for answers regarding governance, financial sustainability, and leadership instability.

Appearing before the Committee, Acting Vice Chancellor and Full Professor of Horticulture of the University of Nairobi, Prof. Margret Hutchinson was questioned over the legality of certain administrative positions and the prolonged vacancies in senior roles. 

Committee Members demanded clarity on how the university was addressing governance challenges including unapproved management positions, Kshs 13.6 billion in pending bills, and the prolonged appointment of key officials in an acting capacity.

"This University operates under a legal framework. Is it right to be referring to offices that were created outside of this legal framework?" asked Hon. Nabii Nabwera.

Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Margret Hutchinson explained that the University’s statutes were last updated in 2013, but in 2020, administrative reforms were intiated leading to the creation of new positions, including the Chief Operating Officer. However, the Committee questioned the legitimacy of these positions.

Hon. Eve Obara asked for documentation justifying the structural changes, stating, "A review was done, new positions were created, and you determined they were not working and reverted back to the previous structure. Where are the documents to justify this?"

Committee Members also raised concerns over governance. Legislators questionined the long-standing issue of staff serving in acting capacities. 

"How is the University addressing the many cases of staff in acting capacity, stagnation and creation of offices not alligned with the statues," asked Hon. Rebecca Tonkei

"For over five years, many senior positions have been held in an acting capacity, leading to leadership instability and inconsistencies in strategy implementation," Prof. Hutchinson admitted. 

The Acting Vice Chancellor added that the Public Service Commission (PSC) had conducted interviews for the vacant positions of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Vice Chancellor and that the university was awaiting the results.

The Committee also raised concerns about the university's financial health, pointing out that despite receiving salaries directly from the Exchequer through negotiations with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the institution was still struggling with massive debts.

"In your documentation, we are not seeing how the pending bills are reducing," said Hon. Peter Orero.

Prof. Hutchinson acknowledged the financial burden, stating, "The total liability in pending bills stands at Ksh 13.58 billion as of March 28, 2025."

Hon. Joshua Makilap added, "You are saying you have financial challenges but we are not seeing documents on the current revenue the University is generating."

Lawmakers' further scrutinized the underutilization of UoN’s satellite campuses in Kisumu and Mombasa. "Even if the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) places students there, it is not sustainable. Have you leased out the campuses?" questioned Hon. Phylis Bartoo.

Prof. Hutchingson admitted that while the university owned the campuses, they were not fully utilized. "In Mombasa, we are even renting out space to generate income," he said.

To address financial woes, Prof. Hutchinson outlined several strategies, including prioritizing fiscal discipline, engaging the government for additional funding, strengthening alumni contributions, and increasing research collaborations.

Despite these assurances, the Committee noted that the wrangles within the management of the University that have hindered progress.

Hon. Jerusha Momanyi asked," From what the V.C has said it's is evident that there are leadership challenges. The core of University is education. What are you doing mitigation strategies to ensure the University moves forward from this."

On his part, Committee Chair, Hon. Julius Melly questioned the Vice Chancellor’s authority, suggesting internal leadership struggles. "We have information that your role as Secretary of the University Council has been relegated to the Corporation Secretary. It appears that there is infighting within management."

The Committee requested for detailed documents on pending bills. The Committee on Education is also expected to conduct inspection visits to the stalled Students Accommodation at Lower Kabete that was funded bythe Government of Kenya in 1990, proposed School of Pharmacy building at the Faculty of Health Sciences, KNH Campus and IDIS Students Hostels at Harry Thuku Road.