The Ministry of Education has distanced itself from the appointment of Prof Bitange Ndemo as Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, terming the move by University Council Chair Prof Amukowa Anangwe as illegal and a violation of the Universities Act, 2012.
In an official statement released Friday, Principal Secretary for Higher Education Dr Beatrice Inyangala — who also sits on the university council — stated that the ministry was neither consulted nor involved in the decision to appoint Prof Ndemo.
She asserted that Prof Anangwe failed to follow the lawful procedures outlined in the governing legislation.
On Wednesday, Prof Anangwe had issued appointment letters naming Prof Ndemo as Vice Chancellor and Prof Francis Mulaa as Acting VC in the interim.
Prof Ndemo currently serves as Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union.
However, Dr Inyangala clarified that the required consultation with the Education Cabinet Secretary did not take place, as mandated by law. She affirmed that Prof Margaret Jesang Hutchinson remains the acting Vice Chancellor of the university.
Prof Ndemo also issued a statement acknowledging receipt of the appointment letter but confirmed that he had withdrawn his candidacy, citing procedural irregularities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Education confirms that there were no consultations between the University of Nairobi Council and the Cabinet Secretary on any of the purported appointments,” said Dr Inyangala.
She further noted that no council meeting had been convened to discuss or authorize the appointments prior to the issuance of the letters by Prof Anangwe.
The ministry condemned Prof Anangwe’s unilateral actions as a “clear usurpation” of the council’s collective authority, warning that such violations would not be tolerated.
“The purported appointments are contrary to the provisions of the Universities Act, 2012, specifically Section 35(1)(a)(v), which requires a competitive and consultative process for appointing university leadership. These serious breaches of the law will warrant appropriate action,” Dr Inyangala stated.
In a letter dated May 5, 2025, Prof Anangwe had appointed Prof Mulaa as Acting VC pending Prof Ndemo’s release from diplomatic duties, and had copied the letter to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Dr Inyangala.
A separate memo also informed the CS of Prof Ndemo’s appointment.
Prof Anangwe’s letter read, “Prof Elijah Bitange Ndemo is in the process of handing over his current position as Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium… This is in exercise of the council authority granted to the undersigned.”
The Ministry, however, reiterated that leadership appointments in public universities must be made through a competitive selection process led by the Public Service Commission and concluded in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary.
Prof Ndemo had been among three finalists interviewed for the VC position on March 21, 2025.
