Education CS Prof George Magoha has explained why he dishonoured the appointment for Prof Kiama as the new UoN vice-chancellor.
According to Magoha, the university council never involved the government as the law stipulates.
Asked about the university council dissolution, the CS said that the move was to allow deep consultations.
"All senior appointments in the country...when the process is complete the interviewing entity consults with the government," noted Prof Magoha, as quoted by Nation.
"The government looks at many other things...The council acted in a manner that does not conform. There is a candidate they recommended and I said I am consulting. They went ahead and made the appointment," he added.
The CS hinted that during his Mombasa visit, President Uhuru Kenyatta raised queries about the appointment, a clear indication that the government was never involved.
He also noted that he was only notified long after the appointment by the council.
Ousted VC Prof Stephen Kiama affirmed that he will remain in office despite the Friday revocation of his appointment.
Through a Sunday advert on local newspapers, Prof Kiama cautioned the UoN management against cooperating with Prof Isaac Mbeche whom Magoha installed as the acting VC.
"This is to inform all stakeholders and collaborators that any person or institution entering into a contract with any person other than the legally appointed vice-chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama Gitahi, purporting to represent the University of Nairobi, does so at their own peril and the university will not honour or be held liable for such commitments," the advert read, according to Nation.