University of Nairobi academic staff have urged Education CS Ezekiel Machogu to intervene and end the incessant wrangles in the institution.
The wrangles have seen Vice Chancellor Professor Stephen Kiama sent on compulsory leave twice in just six months.
University of Nairobi Council chairman Amukowa Anangwe said the decision to send Kiama on leave was reached on April 19.
The council directed Professor Ayub Njoroge to continue serving as vice chancellor.
But Kiama immediately dismissed the directive saying he is not going anywhere.
The embattled VC was on Tuesday present at State House where President William Ruto met with managers of public universities.
Universities Academic Staff Union UoN chapter chairman Richard Bosire urged Machogu to read the riot act to the wrangling parties.
"We cannot solve this issue if Machogu does not bring these people together and read the riot act. We are urging him to take action and we are willing to support him," he said.
"In his opinion, the government has exceptional capacity through its intelligence and security systems to really go deep and be able to establish the root cause of the crisis."
Bosire said the wrangles are damaging UoN's reputation.
"In order for the university to focus on its key mandate, the government should take action that is appropriate and swift to stop wrangles," he said.
Bosire cited lack of adherence to the established university management structures as the cause of the wrangles.
Secretary Maloba Wekesa said it is unfortunate that the university is airing its dirty linen in public.
"You are all professors for goodness sake. You should know better," he said.
UoN is one of the highest ranked public universities in Kenya, Africa and the World.
Wekesa said the UoN Council, currently led by Anangwe is illegally constituted.
He said in the three years Uasu-UoN chapter has been in office, the university has had three councils, two Chancellors and one Vice-Chancellor.
"Whereas the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor have enjoyed their tenures, the council has been subject to political appointments," Wekesa said.
The changes in the council's leadership have led to litigation over the powers of the CS to reconstitute university councils.
On March 16, High Court judge Justice Jairus Ngaah ruled that Education CS did not have powers to reconstitute any university council once appointed and gazetted.
"The Judge did not, however, rule to align with his observations, citing unknown repercussions the university would face. This has rendered the current university council illegal," Wekesa said.
The matter is currently ongoing in court.
Wekesa said the university deserves peace in realising its mandate as a research and teaching institution.
" We don't need more drama," he said.
