UNSA Demands Urgent Appointment of University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor
The student body has called on the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the government to intervene and support the university in managing its affairs.
By Juliet Jerotich
The University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA) is urging the swift appointment of a new vice-chancellor, citing ongoing leadership challenges at the institution.
The student body has called on the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the government to intervene and support the university in managing its affairs.
UNSA expressed growing concerns over the leadership vacuum, stating that governance issues remain unresolved.
Despite the PSC having conducted interviews for the position, students lament that delays in the appointment process continue to create instability.
“The Public Service Commission must be diligent in selecting the new vice-chancellor. As students, we need substantive leaders who can bring meaningful change to the institution,” said Michael Soi, UNSA’s Head of Public Service.
Students argue that the leadership void is significantly affecting university administration, leaving them without proper representation.
“We currently have no leaders to advocate for us since the vice-chancellor position remains vacant. This has resulted in an incomplete student council, making it difficult to present our grievances,” Soi added.
Rocha Madzo, another student leader, highlighted that the university is facing multiple challenges, urging the PSC to expedite the appointment process.
He also raised concerns about external interference, claiming that certain members of parliament and the education committee have been influencing the university’s affairs.
“There are individuals with vested interests who have been coming to the university and falsely claiming that chaos is prevailing,” Madzo noted.
Further complicating matters, a Siaya court recently suspended the university’s election, which had been scheduled for March 2025. This ruling has left students without official representation, making it even harder for them to voice their concerns.
The unrest escalated after a visit from the National Assembly Education Committee, which uncovered deep-rooted leadership conflicts.
Investigations revealed that there are currently 16 ongoing court cases related to governance disputes.
The committee is now working to mediate between the university council and management to resolve the standoff.
However, students insist that until a vice-chancellor is appointed, the leadership crisis will persist, affecting academic and administrative operations at the institution.
UNSA continues to call for urgent action, emphasizing that delays in resolving leadership disputes are undermining the university’s stability and students’ ability to participate effectively in governance.
About Author
