This archive report was first published on 3 January 2022.
University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama has appealed to the Court of Appeal to avoid possible jail time after being found in contempt of court for disregarding an order stopping the restructuring of the institution.
Prof Kiama and four other senior officials were found in contempt of court on December 10, 2021 after going ahead with the university restructuring plans despite a court order obtained by a lecturers union.
The restructuring plans, announced in July 2021, involved the abolition of schools, some colleges, faculties, and institutes.
University Academic Staff Union (UASU) challenged the changes, arguing that there was no policy framework nor transitional guidelines. The lecturers also said the move had caused anxiety, disquiet, and confusion in the university.
Prof Kiama's lawyer, Fred Ngatia, argued that the vice chancellor and the four senior officials were not joined in the case, nor served with the court papers.
He further argued that the memo was a mere communique of the university's institutional reforms, which had already been effected by the time the order was issued.
Prof Kiama's appeal comes as the university prepares for sentencing on January 27, 2022.
