Two MPs have demanded the reinstatement of Stephen Kiama as University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor saying his term was yet to expire.
Kiama was sent packing by the Prof Amukowa Anangwe-led UON council saying his services were terminated on September 27, 2024.
Without divulging the reasons behind the termination of the VC’s contract, the council said the same was communicated to the besieged VC.
Mukurweini MP John Kagucia and Geoffrey Wandeto of Tetu have challenged the decision of the council, saying it raises a lot of questions.
They said in a presser at Parliament that the Vice Chancellor should be left to serve the remainder of his term.
“This is not only illegal but a mockery of the Employment Act, Kenya constitution and the fair administration of justice,” the MPs said.
For the lawmakers, the VC, having been appointed on January 6, 2020, for five years, should leave office on January 5, 2025.
The law, University Act 2012, provides that a vice chancellor shall hold office for five years and shall be eligible for a further term of five years.
The MPs said the VC on July 4 formally requested the council, through the chair, for a second leg of his tenure.
“This is clearly witch-hunt and begs the question; are there things the university council is planning and hellbent on implementing in which the good professor is not keen,” the MPs said.
The MPs are questioning if Kiama’s removal could be linked to a bid by unknown persons to control the varsity’s assets.
“What’s the agenda with university assets, especially land and proposed long-term leases for the university’s prime land?” the lawmakers asked.
The MPs are also seeking the word of Higher Education PS Beatrice Iyangala on the developments.
”Why terminate him just about four months before his renewal of term? Why conduct a sham process that cannot meet the threshold for a proper disciplinary process?”
“Why terminate his contract as VC and then go ahead to terminate him as a university professor, which is governed under a totally different contract altogether?” the MPs asked.
They held that Kiama has excelled in performance reviews by previous university councils under the supervision of the State Corporations Advisory Committee.
“The 2023-24 evaluation was scheduled to take place before September 30. Instead of carrying out the evaluation, they chose to sack him unfairly claiming he was uncooperative,” the MPs said.
He argued that there seems to be a broad plan to interfere with the management of certain institutions of higher learning.