In a dramatic turn of events, detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested four senior officials from the University of Nairobi over the controversial appointment of Daniel Brian Ouma Okeyo as Acting Chief Operations Officer (COO).
Among those arrested are University Council Chairperson Prof. Amukowa Anangwe, Daniel Ouma himself, and council members Dr. Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi and Carren Kerubo Omwenga. They are accused of abuse of office following an appointment that allegedly flouted legal procedures and ignored a standing court ruling delivered on April 8, 2024.
Prof. Anangwe was dramatically apprehended by EACC officers at Kisumu International Airport and immediately airlifted to Nairobi for questioning at the EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre.
According to EACC, the university officials bypassed governance protocols and defied a formal objection from then-Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama before proceeding to install Ouma as COO.
Investigations have also unearthed deeper concerns about Ouma’s tenure. He is now facing additional charges for forgery of academic documents and the unlawful acquisition of public funds totaling over KSh32 million — the salary he received while holding various senior roles between 2015 and 2025, including Deputy Director of Fundraising, Director of Advancement, and Acting COO. Authorities allege that Ouma was not qualified for any of the positions he occupied.
This high-profile arrest has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s academic community and reignited calls for greater transparency and accountability in public institutions.
The four suspects remain in custody as EACC prepares to arraign them in court.
