Top officials at the University of Nairobi (UoN) have appeared in court to deny charges of abuse of office and fraud leveled against them. The defendants include Professor Amukonwa Anangwe, Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Council, alongside Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi, Carren Kerubo Omwenga, and Daniel Brian Ouma. All pleaded not guilty during their appearance before Milimani Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Celesa Asis Okore.
The charges stem from allegations that Anangwe, Ahmed, and Carren, together with two others who were absent from court, abused their positions within the University of Nairobi Council. The prosecution claims that on April 19, 2024, at the University of Nairobi Council Chamber in Nairobi, these officials improperly reappointed Daniel Brian Ouma to a position, despite prior court rulings to the contrary. Specifically, they are accused of using their authority as council members to nullify a letter issued by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen Kiama, which rescinded Ouma’s appointment as Acting Chief Operations Officer. This act allegedly contravened a judgment delivered on April 8, 2024.
Meanwhile, Daniel Brian Ouma faces separate charges of unlawful acquisition of public property. The prosecution alleges that he received a salary amounting to over 32 million Kenyan shillings for holding two different positions at the university, knowing that he was not qualified to occupy both roles simultaneously. The positions cited include Deputy Director of Fundraising, Donor Relations and Partnership within the Directorate of University Advancement, Director Advancement, and Acting Chief Operations Officer. The payments are said to have occurred between March 2015 and May 8, 2025, with Ouma accused of unlawfully acquiring public funds during this period.
During the court proceedings, the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) did not object to the accused being released on bond. However, the prosecution requested that the court bar them from accessing their offices at the university and order them to deposit their passports with the court to prevent interference with the investigation or flight risk.
The defense lawyers, led by Abdirizak Mohamed and Jim Akach, opposed these conditions strongly. They argued that preventing the accused from accessing their offices could disrupt the university’s operations, potentially harming students and the institution’s governance. Lawyer Abdirizak emphasized that his client, Professor Anangwe, is elderly and may require medical treatment abroad, suggesting that seizing his passport could jeopardize his health.
In response, Magistrate Celesa Asis Okore ruled that the accused must deposit their passports with the court, explaining that this requirement does not violate their rights but rather ensures they remain within the court’s jurisdiction. She also barred them from accessing their offices at the university, citing the need to prevent any interference with ongoing investigations.
The court released Anangwe, Ahmed, and Carren on bond set at 1 million Kenyan shillings each, with an alternative cash bail of 500,000 shillings. Brian Ouma was released on a higher bond of 5 million shillings, or alternatively 3 million shillings in cash. The case will be mentioned again in 14 days to confirm compliance with the bail terms.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about governance and accountability within one of Kenya’s largest and most prestigious institutions. The allegations, if proven, suggest serious breaches of conduct and misuse of public resources. The university’s management and council have a critical role in maintaining transparency and integrity, given their responsibility to students, staff, and the public.
The denial of the charges by the accused means the court process will continue as investigations and hearings unfold. The legal proceedings will scrutinize whether the reappointment of Ouma and the associated salary payments were proper and lawful under university and national laws. Meanwhile, the court’s decision to impose restrictions aims to safeguard the integrity of the investigation and ensure that justice is served without obstruction.
The outcome of this case will likely have far-reaching implications for university governance and the fight against corruption in public institutions in Kenya. Observers and stakeholders in higher education and public administration will be closely monitoring the developments as the matter progresses.
