PROF.AMUKOWA CLEARED OF ABUSE OF OFFICE CHARGES AFTER EACC PROBE

Prof. Amukowa Anangwe, the former Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Council, has been cleared of all charges levelled against him, according to his lawyer, Peter Wanyama. In a statement released on July 19, 2025, Wanyama confirmed that Prof. Anangwe had been cleared after months of legal battles following his arrest by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Prof. Anangwe was apprehended by EACC officers on Friday, May 16, at Kisumu International Airport. Other council members Daniel Brian Ouma, Dr. Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi, and Carren Kerubo Omwenga were arrested in Nairobi on the same day. Initial reports suggested the arrests stemmed from alleged abuse of office in the controversial appointment of Daniel Brian Ouma Okeyo as Acting Chief Operations Officer. The Ministry of Education also accused Prof. Anangwe of exceeding his authority by appointing Prof. Francis Mulaa as acting Vice-Chancellor without following the appropriate legal procedures.

The ministry strongly objected to Anangwe’s unilateral decisions, warning of undisclosed consequences and citing violations of the Universities Act, 2012. Prof. Anangwe was appointed Chair of the University Council in May 2023. Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala dismissed Prof. Mulaa’s appointment as both Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and acting Vice-Chancellor, stating that the move contravened legal provisions and bypassed the necessary consultative process. She further clarified that the appointments, issued through letters dated May 5 were made without the involvement of the Cabinet Secretary and lacked consensus from the full University Council, of which she is a member.