The University of Nairobi Council has once again directed Vice Chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama to continue his six-month leave, which he had previously cut short and returned to work unexpectedly.
In a surprising turn of events, on July 7, the council had granted Kiama’s request for a six-month leave beginning August 1, 2023, with Deputy VC Julius Ogeng’o assuming the role of acting VC in his absence.
However, Kiama decided to truncate his leave and resumed his duties on September 1, announcing his return on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by stating that he was “well rested and rejuvenated.”
Despite not completing 161 out of the 180 days of his approved leave, Kiama continued to perform his official duties. This led to confusion within the university community.
In a letter dated September 22, the council informed Kiama that he was still on leave and should not carry out the responsibilities of his office as of September 25. The council asserted that its resolution granting him leave remained in effect.
The UoN Council Chairperson, Prof Amukowa Anangwe, criticized Kiama’s “notice of resumption of duty” on September 1, 2023, which he delivered without prior approval to cancel or vary his six-month leave.
On the day of his return, Kiama addressed the entire university community in a live-streamed event on YouTube, providing information about the reporting dates for the 2023-24 academic year.
Kiama stated, “All freshers admitted to UoN will report to their respective campuses and faculties on Monday, September 25, 2023. All continuing students will commence their first semester classes on October 9, 2023.”
The council reminded Kiama of a directive from Head of Public Service Felix Koskei issued on September 21, which required all public service officers with accrued leave days to take their leave. Koskei emphasized that, by June 30, 2024, only 15 leave days would be carried forward, and there would be no payment for unused leave days to combat corruption and inefficiency.
The council stated, “This directive inevitably aligns with the council resolution of July 31, 2023, and concurrently requires you to comply with both until your accrued leave of 161 days is exhausted.”
Kiama had initially applied for leave on July 18, 2023, citing a busy schedule since he assumed office on January 20, 2020. He expressed the need to utilize his leave days before his contract expires in 2025, and he submitted the request to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
On August 7, the University of Nairobi Students Association protested Kiama’s leave and called on the council to recall him. They argued that the approval of his leave was “wrong and untimely” as students had not been adequately informed about the decision for the sabbatical.
The student body stated, “The university is preparing for two graduation ceremonies, the resumption from recess, admission of the first-year class of 2023, and the implementation of the New Universities Funding Model. Therefore, the leave the VC took was untimely.”
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