UoN VC decries funding cuts, governance strains at institution

The University of Nairobi Towers. [File, Standard]

The University of Nairobi (UoN) is facing a deep institutional crisis occasioned by financial distress, governance challenges, and the rapid pace of technological change.

And the situation now threatens the sustainability and future of Kenya’s oldest and most prestigious public university.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Margret Hutchinson, has painted a grim picture of the university’s current state, warning that the institution is “walking a tightrope.”

She said that the university struggles to meet its payroll, retain academic talent, and stay relevant in a fast-changing global education landscape.

“Financial challenges continue to pose a serious threat to the sustainability of the university and its ability to provide quality university education,” said Prof. Hutchson.

This comes at a time when the university is grappling with Sh13.2 billion in debts in statutory deductions and staff salaries.

In an address to the university on Tuesday, she revealed that the introduction of the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model in 2017 led to a significant reduction in government capitation.

She said this left the university with only 30 per cent of the funds required to cover its payroll obligations.

“This significant drop in funding has affected our ability to offer quality education. It has crippled our infrastructure development, affected staff morale, and limited our capacity to modernize our academic offerings,” she said.

Beyond the fiscal crisis, Prof Hutchinson cited ongoing governance and legal challenges, and the university’s difficulty in realigning its programs with fast-evolving global market demands, especially in technology-driven sectors.

“Our capacity to train market-ready students in a fast-evolving technological era continues to challenge our systems and our approaches to university training,” she said.

“Like other public universities, the university is still struggling to meet the training needs of our country.”

She added that the chronic underfunding has exposed structural weaknesses that have festered for years.

“Compounded by governance and legal challenges, and the struggle to adapt training to a rapidly evolving digital era, we are walking a tightrope,” said Prof Hutchinson.

Last week, some members of the university Council were arraigned in court and charged in connection with the irregular appointment of some staff at the institution.

Former VC Prof Stephen Kiama was also hounded from office last year, leaving the office without a substantive administrator.