In a dramatic turn of events, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has apprehended four senior officials from the University of Nairobi (UoN) for their alleged involvement in the irregular appointment of Daniel Brian Ouma Okeyo as Acting Chief Operations Officer (COO).
The arrested officials include Prof. Amukowa Anangwe, the University Council Chairperson, Dr. Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi, Carren Kerubo Omwenga, and the appointee himself, Daniel Brian Ouma.
Charges of Abuse of Office
The quartet faces charges of abuse of office stemming from the controversial hiring of Ouma, which contravened a court ruling issued on April 8, 2024. Despite legal warnings, the University Council allegedly bypassed due processes to appoint Ouma, disregarding directives from the institution’s then Vice-Chancellor, Stephen Kiama.
Allegations of Forgery and Fraud
Ouma is accused of forging academic documents and unlawfully earning over Ksh.32 million in salaries while occupying various high-ranking roles at the university. Investigations revealed he held positions such as Deputy Director (Fundraising, Donor Relations, and Partnerships), Director of University Advancement, and Acting COO, for which he was reportedly unqualified.
A report from the Commission for University Education (CUE) confirmed that Ouma’s degree—a Bachelor of Philosophy from Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome—is not recognized in Kenya. Consequently, the EACC deemed his tenure as Acting COO unlawful.
Arrest and Interrogation
EACC detectives arrested Prof. Anangwe at Kisumu International Airport and airlifted him to Nairobi, where he and the other suspects were interrogated at the Integrity Centre. They are expected to be arraigned in court later today.
EACC disclosed that the University Council ignored its prior advisory to revoke Ouma’s appointment. In July 2024, the council extended Ouma’s contract by six months, challenging the EACC to provide further evidence supporting its claims.
Background of Controversy
The University of Nairobi Council has been under scrutiny for its defiance against EACC advisories. In 2024, despite mounting pressure, the council appointed Ouma as Acting COO, a role encompassing oversight of all administrative, non-academic departments at the university.
The controversy escalated when the EACC and CUE publicly declared Ouma’s appointment irregular, emphasizing that his academic qualifications did not meet Kenyan standards.
Conclusion
The arrests mark a significant step in addressing governance issues at one of Kenya’s leading academic institutions. The EACC has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability and adherence to the rule of law in public institutions.
This unfolding case continues to shine a spotlight on the critical need for integrity in Kenya’s higher education sector.
