- Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has met University of Nairobi vice-chancellor, deans and student leaders to discuss the institution’s growth
- The meeting followed an Auditor-General’s report that classified the institution as technically insolvent
- The university says it is exploring property leasing, increased student enrolment, research funding and revived commercial ventures to raise revenue
Harry Ivan Mboto is a Current Affairs and Politics Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering general news. Mboto has five years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2024
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has met University of Nairobi (UoN) Vice-Chancellor Professor Ayub Gitau, deans and student leaders to discuss the institution’s growth and development as it battles a deepening financial crisis involving billions of shillings in liabilities.
Source: Facebook
Babu shared details of the meeting in a Facebook post on Friday, October 23, saying he had returned to his former university to explore ways of supporting its development.
“Back to the University of Nairobi to help facilitate its growth,” the legislator stated.
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Why Babu Owino visited University of Nairobi
He added that the discussions brought together university management, faculty heads and student representatives to consider ways of strengthening the institution.
“Currently in a meeting with the University of Nairobi vice-chancellor, deans and student leaders to discuss ways to support the university’s growth and development,” he said.
In a separate post, Owino expressed excitement at reconnecting with his former lecturers, writing, “Nimepatana na walimu wangu.”
The meeting comes a day after the university’s financial troubles were discussed before the National Assembly Education Committee, following an Auditor-General’s report that classified the institution as technically insolvent.
What is behind UoN’s KSh20 billion financial crisis?
The university is facing mounting financial pressure, with audit findings highlighting persistent deficits, strained working capital and substantial unpaid statutory obligations.
According to the Auditor-General’s report for the 2021/2022 financial year, UoN recorded a deficit of KSh2.2 billion, pushing its accumulated deficit to approximately KSh8.8 billion.
The institution reported current assets worth KSh5.17 billion, while its financial position reflected negative working capital of about KSh8.62 billion. It also faced outstanding statutory obligations, including tax and pension arrears reportedly amounting to approximately KSh10.6 billion.
Appearing before lawmakers on Thursday, October 22, Vice-Chancellor Professor Ayub Gitau acknowledged the financial challenges but pointed to the university’s asset base, which he said was valued at more than KSh220 billion.
Gitau said management was pursuing several revenue-generating measures, including leasing university properties, increasing student enrolment, securing research funding and reviving commercial enterprises.
However, MPs questioned whether these proposals would generate enough revenue to clear the institution’s liabilities. They called on university management to provide clear implementation timelines, verifiable financial projections and measurable targets.
Source: TUKO.co.ke