Kumbe the chaos at University of Nairobi ni serious, serious! UoN students are fed up with the leadership vacuum and have just slapped CS Julius Ogamba with an ultimatum—either appoint substantive leaders or prepare for mayhem.

The Plot Thickens at Kenya's Premier University

Sawa, let's be real—University of Nairobi has been running like a car without a steering wheel since 2024. Former VC Prof. Stephen Gitahi Kiama got sent packing over gross misconduct allegations, and since then? Chaos, bana. Pure chaos. Acting VC Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson has been holding fort, lakini a temporary solution doesn't cut it when you're steering a university of thousands of students and staff.

The students are not having it anymore. Michael Soi, UNSA president, is asking the real questions: Who is derailing this appointment process? The university council already did their interviews for the vice chancellor position, plus the deputy VCs for academic affairs and for finance—everything is done! So why are we still waiting? It's giving administrative incompetence, si uone.

When A Top Candidate Pulls Out, Everything Falls Apart

Here's where it gets messier than Nairobi traffic. Prof. Bitange Ndemo topped the Public Service Commission's merit list—he was the man! But then he withdrew from the race, and suddenly everyone's pointing fingers. Prof. Duke Omondi Orata, who came second, is now saying "pole pole, I should be appointed" based on legal grounds. Court orders? Check. Petitions? Check. Ministry involvement? Triple check.

Aki, this is what happens when leadership becomes a political football. Meanwhile, students are stuck in limbo—uncertain about academic direction, their governance is disrupted, and their overall well-being is taking an L. "We are looking to CS Ogamba to give us direction," Soi pleaded, basically saying the minister needs to step in and sort this mess out according to the law.

The Strike Threat Is Not a Joke

Students are threatening to disrupt learning activities, and honestly? They have every right to be frustrated. A university without substantive leadership is like ugali without sukuma wiki—something critical is missing. The UNSA is drawing a line in the sand: appoint the leadership NOW, or we shut things down.

CS Ogamba needs to understand this isn't just student drama—this is about the academic future of thousands. Universities run on stability, direction, and proper oversight. Right now, UoN has none of that.

The Jukwaa Take: CS Ogamba, the ball is in your court—either expedite these appointments and bring order to UoN, or get ready for one of Kenya's biggest universities to grind to a halt.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke