Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Friday, August 8, 2025
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
Sharp Daily
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
No Result
View All Result
Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Power struggle erupts over UoN chancellor’s overhaul plan

Teresiah Ngio by Teresiah Ngio
February 21, 2025
in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read

A power struggle is brewing at the University of Nairobi (UoN) following the appointment of Chancellor Patrick Verkooijen, who has launched an ambitious two-year overhaul plan aimed at revitalizing the institution. Verkooijen’s transformation blueprint, endorsed by the UoN Council and President William Ruto’s Cabinet, seeks to address several longstanding issues, including mounting debts, frequent student unrest, labor disputes, and low global rankings.

Verkooijen describes the plan as a necessary intervention to “save the university from a blazing fire,” comparing it to the radical reforms undertaken in the judicial sector in 2003. “Piecemeal fixes won’t cut it,” he said in an interview with The Star. “I see my tenure as a moment to save the university from a blazing fire.” Central to his vision is a strategy to optimize UoN’s extensive land holdings to raise funds, an idea he argues is crucial to clearing the university’s reported KSh20 billion debt. Verkooijen plans an independent audit of the university’s properties to determine which assets may be sold, leased, or involved in public-private partnerships.

However, this proposal has raised concerns among some academic staff. Professor Peter Wasamba, chair of the UoN professors’ association, has expressed skepticism over the plan, particularly the sale of university properties. “They want to sell university properties and the land in an unaccountable manner,” Wasamba said. “This is unacceptable.” He also criticized the chancellor’s approach, suggesting that the real issue lies with management, not faculty. “University of Nairobi’s problem is with management, not the teaching fraternity,” he insisted.

In addition to land sales, Verkooijen’s overhaul aims to tackle other institutional failings, including unpaid statutory deductions and over 200 pending court cases. He acknowledges that UoN’s declining reputation, both locally and internationally, is linked to these persistent issues.

RELATEDPOSTS

Kenya’s BPO market thrives amid digital economic growth

September 14, 2024

As tensions rise, the university community remains divided over the path forward, with some supporting Verkooijen’s drastic changes and others voicing concerns about the long-term impact on the institution’s integrity. The unfolding saga promises to shape UoN’s future in the years to come.

Previous Post

How umbrella pension schemes work in Kenya

Next Post

Start your weekend smart with CMMF

Teresiah Ngio

Teresiah Ngio

Related Posts

commercial illustrator
News

Why Kenyan private equity firms should consider continuation funds as an exit strategy

July 23, 2025
Business

Del Monte foods files for bankruptcy in USA

July 3, 2025
News

Private vs Public Pension Funds in Kenya

June 30, 2025
Investments

Investor shift to long term bonds drives oversubscription in CBK’s reopened auction

June 19, 2025
News

The real price of Israel – Iran Conflict for Kenya.

June 19, 2025
Economy

Resilient but strained: Kenyan firms speak out in May 2025 CEO survey.

June 19, 2025

LATEST STORIES

Segregated Pension Schemes in Kenya Q2’2025 Performance

August 8, 2025
Asset allocation dividing an investment portfolio among different asset categories.

Building a Retirement Portfolio in Kenya

August 8, 2025

Steps banks can take to align with fair lending practices

August 7, 2025

The hidden cost of outdated economic statistics

August 7, 2025

EABL posts 12.2% profit surge, strengthens regional footprint despite rising illicit trade

August 1, 2025
1049795356

Maximizing Your Pension Contributions

August 1, 2025

The functional role of narrative in financial markets

August 1, 2025

Tanzania’s protectionist shift and what it means for Kenyan entrepreneurs and regional trade

July 31, 2025
  • About Us
  • Meet The Team
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Email us: editor@thesharpdaily.com

Sharp Daily © 2024

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team

Sharp Daily © 2024