A vicious leadership tussle is jeopardising the stability of Kaimosi Friends University, one of Kenya’s youngest public universities, barely three years after it was granted its charter.
For more than 500 days, the institution has operated without a substantive vice-chancellor, despite interviews and the top candidate’s name being forwarded to the Ministry of Education for appointment.
Documents seen by The Standard reveal a tug-of-war involving former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, his successor Julius Ogamba, and the university’s governing council.
The documents suggest both Ogamba and Machogu disregarded merit-based procedures in the appointment of the VC, spiralling into a web of endless court battles.
The battles have spiralled into a prolonged power struggle mirroring the leadership crisis that recently gripped the University of Nairobi.
At the centre of the standoff is a series of ignored court orders, questionable decisions, and what insiders claim is political interference from senior government officials, raising serious questions about the independence of public university appointments.
The latest standoff came on May 14 2025, when the university council announced the appointment of Peter Nyamuhaanga Mwita as vice-chancellor.
The council claimed the appointment followed a competitive process and was made in consultation with the Education Cabinet Secretary.
However, this decision was suspended by the Employment and Labour Relations Court on 29 May, following a petition that challenged its legality.
Justice Hellen Wasilwa issued interim orders barring Prof Mwita from assuming office pending the outcome of the case.
However, insiders at the university indicate that the embattled vice-chancellor remains in office despite the court order.
The Standard was on Sunday unable to reach the university council or Mwita for comment.
The crisis began in February 2024, when Machogu rejected the council’s recommendation of Manyasa Nandi as the top candidate for the job.
Prof Nandi had emerged top in the interviews conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC), scoring an average of 80.33 per cent.
In a surprise twist, Machogu instead recommended Prof Mary Abukutsa Onyango, who was second with 71 per cent.
Others in the PSC shortlist included Prof James Njiru who scored 71 per cent, Prof Joseph Ouma Rasowo (70 per cent), and Mwita, who reportedly ranked fifth with 68 per cent.
Nandi challenged the move in court and, on 19 December 2024, the Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled in his favour.
Justice Mathews Nduma declared Abukutsa’s appointment unlawful, ordering the university council to appoint Nandi in accordance with PSC results and Article 232 of the Constitution, which promotes merit, transparency, and fairness in public appointments.
But the ruling was never implemented. Instead, the ministry and univercity council settled for Mwita — initially in an acting capacity.
Meanwhile, the Education ministry sought a stay order on Justice Nduma’s ruling, hoping to block the installation of Nandi.
On March 25, 2025 the Court of Appeal granted the stay, allowing a related case to be concluded first.
“In view of the fact that there is another related matter coming up for ruling on 6 June 2025, it is hereby agreed by consent that the status quo in regard to the operations and leadership of Kaimosi Friends University shall be maintained,” reads part of the ruling.
Despite the pending legal proceedings and the court’s instructions to maintain the status quo, the university council announced Mwita’s appointment on May 14, 2025 as the substantive VC.
But just two weeks later, on May, 29, the court suspended the appointment.
