The Universities Academic Staff Union University of Nairobi chapter, has intensified calls for urgent reforms at the University of Nairobi, warning that prolonged acting leadership is deepening administrative paralysis and financial instability.
The union says the absence of permanent top officials has weakened decision-making and slowed recovery efforts at one of Kenya’s oldest public universities.
UASU says the institution has operated without a substantive Vice Chancellor or Deputy Vice Chancellors since September 2024, leaving key offices in acting capacity.
The union argues that this arrangement has created uncertainty in governance and disrupted long-term planning, weakening institutional authority and delaying key reforms needed to stabilize operations.
The union also cited a February 2026 Controller of Budget report indicating that the University of Nairobi is carrying debts exceeding Sh15.9 billion, the highest among public universities in Kenya.
UASU warned that the financial burden threatens salaries, infrastructure development, and academic programs. Lecturers questioned why the institution has not received targeted state support similar to interventions extended to other universities facing financial distress.
UASU has called on government officials, including education and treasury stakeholders, to intervene. The union urged engagement from senior national leaders who are alumni of the institution, arguing that their involvement could help restore confidence and mobilize support.
Among those mentioned are President William Ruto, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, though no official response has been issued.
Lecturers report declining staff morale, reduced student services, and weakening academic standards due to ongoing uncertainty.
The union warned that continued delays in appointing permanent leadership could further erode the university’s reputation and competitiveness. It urged swift action to prevent what it described as a potential institutional collapse.
UASU maintains that appointing a substantive Vice Chancellor is the first step toward restoring order, financial discipline, and strategic direction. The union insists that without decisive intervention, the challenges facing the University of Nairobi could escalate further, affecting thousands of students and staff nationwide.
It also warned that delays have affected partnerships, research funding, and international collaboration agreements that depend on stable governance structures.
The union urged swift coordination between the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Education to conclude the appointment process transparently and urgently.
