During his installation ceremony on June 5, 2020, Prof. Stephen Kiama, the 8th UoN VC received the following symbols of authority from the Chancellor, Dr. Vijoo Rattansi.

  1. Constitution of Kenya 2010
  2. University’s Act No 42 of 2012
  3. UoN charter 2013
  4. Code of conduct & ethics for public universities 2009
  5. University Standards and Guidelines 2014
  6. UoN statutes
  7. Fountain of Knowledge
  8. UoN Seal
  9. UoN Logo
  10. UoN Mace
  11. Custody of Records.

The significance of each of the symbols is explained below.

  1. The Constitution of Kenya, 2010

The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 under Article 74, read together with Article 260 specifies that all “State Officers” should take an oath of affirmation of office before assuming a State office in the public service. The  Constitution  symbolizes  the  sovereignty  of  the  rule  of  law  and  the  will  of  the  citizens  of  Kenya.

  1. The Universities Act. No. 42 of 2012

The Universities Act No. 42 of 2012, incorporating the Universities (Amendment) Act, 2015, 2016 and 2018 articulates “the development and objectives of university education” as well as “the establishment of the Commission for University Education” which has an oversight role over management and quality provision of University education in Kenya.

  1. The University of Nairobi Charter, 2013(an instrument of governance under section 34 of the Universities Act 2012)

The University of Nairobi Charter, 2013 was granted by the President and published in the Kenya Gazette by Legal Notice No. 192 on March 1, 2013.  As an instrument of accreditation, the charter establishes the university as a body corporate and legitimises its existence as a body of higher education accredited by the Commission for University Education. The charter sets out the functions, objects, mission and guiding philosophy of the university.

  1. The Universities Standards and Guidelines, 2014

The Universities standards and guidelines, 2014   set principles and strategies for accreditation and operationalization of university education in Kenya and assure the public and stakeholders that education offered in universities is of good quality. The standards and guidelines provide  that  a  University  should  have   a  vision  and  mission statements  and  philosophy  which  clearly  and  succinctly  indicate   its  strategic  direction.

  1. The Code of Conduct and ethics for Public Universities, 2009

The  Code  contains  general  rules  of  conduct  and  ethics  to be  observed  by  members  , officers  and  employees  of  the  public  universities  so  as  to  maintain  the  integrity, dignity,  and  nobility  of  university  education.

  1. The University of Nairobi Statutes (section 23 of the Universities Act 2012)

Based on the powers conferred to the Council under section 23 of the Universities Act 2012, the Council is endowed to promulgate and gazette such statutes and regulations for the governance, control and administration of the affairs of the University and for the better carrying into effect of the objectives of the university education.

  1. The Seal of the University of Nairobi (instrument of authority under section 65 of the Universities Act 2012)

The seal of the University of Nairobi is used for regulated official business, as in documents such as university deeds, certificates and other documents to denote authority and deemed to be duly executed by or on behalf of the of the University of Nairobi.

  1. The University of Nairobi Logo (instrument of authority under section 65 of the Universities Act 2012)

Comprising the coat of arms and the motto, the University of Nairobi logo serves as a visual symbol in branding, identifying and marketing of the University of Nairobi. It has the following symbols: the Lion standing for Kenya, Giraffe for Tanzania and the Crested Crane for Uganda, hence the logo reflects the history and evolution of the University of Nairobi from a constituent college of the University of East Africa as the University College, Nairobi between 1964 and 1970.  The Shield symbolises support and defence of academic freedom; an open book represents pursuit of learning and sharing of knowledge, and Unitate et Labore—Unity and Work—as the motto that encapsulates the objectives of the university as an institution of higher learning.

  1. The Professor Yajnik Fountain aka Fountain of Knowledge (section 29 of the Universities Act 2012)

The Professor Yajnik Fountain, known as the Fountain of Knowledge at the Main Campus of the University of Nairobi of Nairobi was designed by the Czech Sculptor, Professor Frantisek Vladimír Foit created and unveiled as a monument on March 9, 1963.  It memorialises the work of Dr. Yajnik who fundraised vast sums of money to build the Royal Technical College in the 1950s.  The college became the Royal College in 1961 and the University College in the 1964 and eventually, the University of Nairobi in 1970.   When unveiled, it was believed that the fountain would “for years become a reminder of the contributions by Yajnik to the institution and to the Kenyan academia”.

The Fountain of  knowledge represents  the  University’s  right  and  responsibility  to regulate, preserve   and  promote traditional  principles  of  academic freedom  in the  conduct  of  its internal  and  external affairs.

  1. The Custody of records

The Vice-Chancellor   is the   guardian   of all University’s academic   and administrative   records, and ensures    that the   records are secure and confidential.

  1. The University of Nairobi Mace (instrument of authority under section 65 of the Universities Act 2012)

The Mace represents the authority of the University of Nairobi as an institution of higher learning.  The Mace bearer, a senior member of staff carries this ceremonial mace during the graduation ceremony and leads the academic procession to symbolise the scholarly integrity of the university.