Nairobi, March 15 -- Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel acted (ultra vires) beyond his powers when he revoked the appointment of the University of Nairobi Council and appointed another to run the institution's affairs, the High Court has ruled.

In a judgment, Justice Jairus Ngaah noted that the Universities Act (2012) limits the Cabinet Secretary's powers to making appointments and not to revoking an appointment already made. However, he dismissed prayers by the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) that the appointment of the council chaired by Prof Amukowa Anangwe be set aside.

The University Council has been embroiled in a public row with the Vice-Chancellor, Stephen Kiama, since last year. The VC applied for a six-month leave of...