Africa-Press – Kenya. Following the abrupt return of University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof Kiama Gitahi from his leave on Friday, September 1, the University Council has convened an urgent meeting on Saturday, September 2.
Late Friday evening, a memo signed by Collins Omondi from the university’s legal office invited the Council to an extraordinary meeting on Saturday, September 2, at 9am.
“Permission from the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, has been secured to hold the meeting,” said the memo.
On Friday, council chairman Prof Amukowa Anangwe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs Prof Julius Ogengo, who was acting as VC when Prof Gitahi took a six-month leave, and acting COO Brian Ouma spent the day in meetings at the University Towers.
Prof Kiama has not been invited to the meeting, an official close to him said.
Sources indicate today’s council meeting could decide the fate of Prof Kiama at the university helm.
Efforts to reach the parties on Saturday morning were unfruitful.
Prof Kiama took a six-month sabbatical leave three weeks ago.
But on Thursday he wrote a letter to the university council saying that issues that had led to his taking a sabbatical had been resolved.
“I am now able to return re-energised to immediately resume my duties as vice chancellor with effect from Friday, September 1, 2023,” the letter read.
On Friday, Prof Kiama told The Standard the Council did not reply to his letter.
“No response is needed. I have a contract that lasts five years and I don’t need to request to come back,” Prof Kiama said.
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