EACC writes to University of Nairobi (UoN) over senior staff with a questionable degree certificate
EACC) has asked the University of Nairobi Council (UoN) to take administrative action against a senior official it says used a degree that is not recognised in Kenya to secure employment at the institution
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has asked the University of Nairobi Council (UoN) to take administrative action against a senior official it says used a degree that is not recognised in Kenya to secure employment at the institution.
In a letter to the council chairman, Amukowa Anangwe, EACC Chief Executive Twalib Mbarak said the commission has finalised investigations into the appointment of Brian Ouma as Acting Chief Operations Officer at the university since 2021.
Mbarak added that the position is irregular since the council created it without varying its statutory instruments to align with the charter of the higher learning institution as required by the Universities Act (2012).
In April, the Employment and Labour Relations Court quashed an advertisement by the University of Nairobi Council that sought to regularise the position alongside 22 others.
According to the advert, the position would have been at Job Group 17, the same as a deputy vice-chancellor. The case was filed by the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu).
The EACC boss said in the letter that investigations revealed Ouma has a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Apostles of Jesus Philosophicum Major Seminary in Lang’ata, Nairobi County.
The seminary is affiliated with the Pontifical Urbaniana University (PUU) in Rome, Italy, but is not in the list of institutions recognised by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
“Ouma obtained a mean grade of C- (minus) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination and thus, did not have the necessary qualifications for direct entry to university to undertake a degree programme in Kenya,” the letter reads.
Kalonzo hints at ditching Azimio to form new coalition
KCSE candidate dies hours before KCSE Exam kicks off
ODM announces new date for grassroots elections
EACC summons 39 government directors over irregular employment
Ruto reportedly planning government reshuffle to kick out Gachagua allies
“The CUE confirmed that, as of 2003 and under the provisions of (criteria for accreditation) Rule 14 of the Universities (Establishment of Universities) (Standardisation, Accreditation and Supervision) Rules, 1989 [L.N. 56/1989, L.N. 160/2002], PUU was not an accredited institution in Kenya and, therefore, the certificate awarded by PUU is not recognised in Kenya.”
The position held by Ouma is not new to controversy. Then-Vice Chancellor Stephen Kiama terminated Ouma’s appointment as acting COO following the court ruling.
Four days later, Prof Anangwe announced that the council had sent Prof Kiama on leave but he stayed put.
The council finally terminated Prof Kiama’s contract on September 27, 2024.
Also read,
How Ruto Mt Kenya allies are planning comeback after Gachagua impeachment
Government issues new directive to all chiefs
US unveils American Corner Mtaani for young innovators in Kenya
Ruto lauds the Supreme Court as faithful custodian of the Constitution
Judiciary appeals to Ruto for new Supreme Court building
Starlink suspends new subscriptions in Nairobi and surrounding counties
Follow us
