Hiring of new staff at the University of Nairobi: Memo to all UASU Members
I hope this finds you well, UASU members.
On 5th December 2023, the University Council met the Executive Committee of UASU – UoN and a
consequent letter from the Chair of Council was dispatched minuting the agreements of this meeting. I refer
to this letter attached and specific on agenda item 4.
Here is the agenda item number 4 from the Chair of the Council
The Council will endeavour to review the university statutes on the defunct
PROF. AMUKOWA ANANGWE, PhD
positions of DVCs and explore how best to resolve their reinstatement in the
context of the ongoing review exercise at the university to develop the human
resource instruments and to align them with SCAC/PSC guidelines.
However, the onus is on UASU Chapter to canvass the agenda in a
participatory manner in order to build consensus on this amongst the
university community.
CHAIR OF COUNCIL
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
Secondly, let me refer to the memo to ALL Vice Chancellors on 25th October 2023 by the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Education, on the
“Guidelines for development and review of human resource management
instruments for state corporations and public universities” attached herein.
UASU, expected after the meeting with the University Council, that any new hiring will be dedicated to filling the ranks of academic staff that are seriously in deficit even as the guidelines for reviewing HR instruments are launched. Instead, the University Council is intent on externally hiring more administrators to the exclusion of academic departments, many in dire need of more lecturers with serious workload weights.
Thirdly, I refer to a Memo by the Secretary and CEO of PSC to ALL CEOs of State Corporations & Vice
Chancellors on 5th December 2023, and which I attach herein that stated as follows on item 15
Any human resource management instruments for State Corporations & Public Universities that have not been approved by the Public Service Commission are Unconstitutional, Null & Void”
Principal Secretary
The National Treasury
None of the instruments as directed by the Principal Secretary in the 25th October 2023 memo have been approved.
Lastly, let me make reference to the external job advertisements made in National Newspapers on 12th
December 2023 and active on UoN website at the moment.
In the said adverts, the positions of Chief Operations Officer and eight Director positions with their Deputies have been listed for hiring. Notably, the said positions are non-existent in our Charter, University Statutes and have never been gazetted by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education as required by law and contravene the directions given by the Principal Secretary on 25th Oct 2023 and the CEO of PSC on 5th Dec 2023.
Let it be clear to all of you that the Union vehemently objects to this adverts, is an afront to the rule of law, considers them part of a wider agenda to alienate and extricate the University from academicians. We take umbrage to this agenda and with this communique, we demand for a revocation of the adverts in 24 hours and an immediate halt to this hiring exercise. UASU retains its discretion to take whichever action it will deem fit to protect the University should this demand not be met.
We will keep you posted as we remain your labour champions.
Dr Maloba Wekesa
Chapter Secretary – UASU University of Nairobi