EACC, University of Nairobi Tensions Continue Over Unqualified Appointment
The University of Nairobi and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) are at odds over the qualifications of a senior UON official.
The two are at odds over the nomination of a senior director as the university’s acting Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO was selected by the University Council four months ago.
EACC argues that the official, a long-time UON employee, has the required academic qualifications for the position.
Furthermore, EACC claims that the COO post was not constituted in accordance with existing laws.
In defiance, the university extended the official’s term for six months and urged EACC to present all of the requisite proof of their claim as they sought clarity over the issue.
In October, the EACC raised concerns about the officer’s nomination and requested that the institution cancel his appointment to the senior management position.
UoN vs EACC:
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 14, 2024
University of Nairobi asks EACC to clarify report on staff member
EACC says UoN employee Brian Ouma has degree he did not qualify for
UoN defies EACC extends Ouma’s contract as Chief Operations Officer#CitizenTonight @SamGituku pic.twitter.com/8DQfKBSb7s
The EACC contended that the degree the official claims to hold is not recognized in Kenya.
In a letter to the University’s Council, the EACC stated, “The tenure of the official as acting Chief Operations Officer at the University of Nairobi is irregular.”
EACC maintained that the Pontifical Urbaniana University, where the official claims to have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy, is not accredited in Kenya.
“The Commission on University Education (CUE) confirmed that, as of 2003, under the provisions of criteria for accreditation Rule 14 of the Universities Rules, PUU was not an accredited institution in Kenya and therefore the certificate awarded by PUU is not recognized in Kenya,” the letter read in part.
Furthermore, the EACC revealed that the official received a C- (minus) grade in his KCSE exams and thus was automatically barred from direct entry into a university to pursue a degree program.
“The officer obtained a mean grade of C- (minus) in KCSE, and thus he did not have the necessary qualifications for direct entry into the University to undertake a degree program in Kenya,” the letter stated.
The investigating panel went ahead to argue that the academic requirements needed to occupy a senior management post did not match the officer’s qualifications.
“The position of Deputy Director required one to hold either a Master’s or a Bachelor’s degree, while the position of Director required one to hold a Master’s degree,” EACC claimed.
“Since the officer possesses a degree certificate that is not recognized in Kenya, he is not qualified to hold the current substantive position of Director (COO).”
Furthermore, the EACC stated that the official’s COO post was formed in violation of the constitution, rendering it illegal, null, and void.
“That the University of Nairobi Council, on July 12, 2021, resolved to reorganize the administrative positions and created 14 positions pending alignment of the University’s statutory instruments. Among the positions created was that of Chief Operations Officer,” as per the letter.
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“The COO position is a top management position and the council ought to have varied and aligned its statutory instruments through the Cabinet Secretary (Education),” the letter stated.
“The University Council failed to comply with the provisions of Section 22A of the Universities Act No.42 of 2012 on the variation of the Charter, as they created the new positions and appointed staff in acting capacity without varying the statutory instruments.”
“To date, the Council has yet to vary its statutory instruments in line with the reorganization of administrative positions and incorporate the position of COO,” the letter claimed.
“Consequently, it is the considered view of the Commission that any position created in contravention of the Charter and statutes is against the law, null and void.”
EACC, University of Nairobi Tensions Continue Over Unqualified Appointment
