New Council Promises to Restore Glory to UoN and Address Student Welfare 

The Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos has inaugurated the newly appointed council of the University of Nairobi today, August 5, 2025. The CS said the council has been appointed because of the value that they are expected to add in the institution and to the University subsector as a whole, highlighting the rigorous selection process undertaken to ensure the council comprises of the most capable individuals. Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education and member of the council, highlighted the body’s commitment to academic innovation. She explained that the council plans to work closely with the lecturers on research to convert some of the bankable research areas to real projects that can be commercialized thereby linking the University’s output to tangible economic benefits.

During the council meeting, the new Chair, Professor Chacha Nyaigotti, formally undertook his task, outlining his vision for the council’s tenure.  He pledged to lead the council with an effort to restore the University of Nairobi’s glory through quality leadership and meticulous management of all areas. Prof Chacha emphasized that the council's work would begin with a primary focus on student welfare.

In a comprehensive report to the council, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Prof Margaret Hutchinson provided a candid overview of the institution’s current state highlighting the pressing issue of student accommodation, where she explained that managing hostels has become increasingly difficult since the decision to delink accommodation from tuition fee years ago. To address persistent student complaints on this matter, Prof. Hutchinson announced a significant measure of 50% reduction in accommodation fee. However, she acknowledged the institution’s resilience, highlighting achievements such as surpassing 5B Kenya shillings in research grants in the last financial year.

Providing the broader government perspective, the Cabinet Secretary for Education , while addressing the press,  lauded the new council’s appointment stating ‘institution’s rise or fall on the capacity of the leadership ’ and that the government took great care to select the best people for the task . The CS detailed a number of interventions for students welfare, including a 40% reduction in overall fees to ensure no student is left behind. He also highlighted that the government has also allocated a substantial 16.9B for scholarships, increased funding for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) , and he also confirmed that 5.9B has been allocated for examination hence no payment is required. In a powerful and direct message to the new council during their inauguration, the Education CS underscored the independence and gravity of their role. "You are appointed, and you are inaugurated. Now your responsibility is to the institution,” the CS stated. “The best interest of the institution takes precedence over anything else,” The CS emphasized that by working within the law and focusing on the institution’s welfare, the council will “always, always, without a doubt, make the right decisions.”