EACC Arrests University of Nairobi’s Top Officials Over Abuse of Office

NAIROBI – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested four senior officials from the University of Nairobi, including Council Chairperson Professor Amukowa Anangwe, in connection with the irregular appointment of Daniel Brian Ouma Okeyo as Acting Chief Operations Officer.

The high-profile arrests follow a months-long investigation into allegations of abuse of office, forgery of academic documents, and unlawful acquisition of public property.

The officials are expected to be arraigned in court this afternoon.

“These arrests underscore our commitment to fighting corruption at all levels of public institutions,” said an EACC spokesperson during a brief press conference at Integrity Centre in Nairobi.

According to EACC investigators, the University Council officials deliberately ignored a court judgment delivered on April 8, 2024, and usurped powers within the council to appoint Ouma despite clear warnings about his qualifications.

The Commission alleges that the Council even disregarded direct intervention from then Vice Chancellor Stephen Kiama on the matter.

Professor Anangwe was dramatically apprehended at Kisumu International Airport and airlifted to Nairobi for questioning.

The other suspects in custody include Ouma himself and two additional Council members, Dr. Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi and Carren Kerubo Omwenga.

The case centers on Ouma’s academic credentials and subsequent employment history at the university.

EACC investigations revealed that Ouma holds a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, which is not accredited or recognized in Kenya, as confirmed by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Despite this, Ouma allegedly received salaries totaling over Ksh.32 million between 2015 and 2025 while serving in positions including Deputy Director of Fundraising, Director of Advancement, and Acting Chief Operations Officer—positions for which he was allegedly unqualified.

The scandal has been brewing since last year when EACC publicly declared Ouma’s appointment irregular and called for its revocation.

Instead of complying, the University Council extended Ouma’s contract by six additional months, challenging the EACC to provide evidence against him.

This case represents the latest in a series of governance challenges facing Kenya’s premier university and raises serious questions about oversight and accountability in the institution’s leadership.

The arrests come at a time when the government has intensified its anti-corruption efforts across public institutions, with President Trump having pledged support to Kenyan authorities in their fight against corruption during his recent diplomatic engagements.

University operations are expected to continue normally as the legal process unfolds, though sources within the institution suggest significant tension among faculty and administrators.

This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.