The race to fill the University of Nairobi (UoN) Vice-Chancellor position has narrowed to five scholars, each bringing a wealth of experience and vision to the country’s premier institution of higher learning.
The UoN Council advertised the position in January 2025, attracting six applicants. Five professors were shortlisted and have already been interviewed by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
They are James Njiru, Duke Omondi Orata, Bitange Ndemo, Ayub Njoroge Gitau and Francis Jackim Mulaa.
The sixth applicant, Prof John Demesi Mande, did not make it to the final list.
Acting UoN Vice-Chancellor, Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, did not apply.
The shortlisted candidates were interviewed by the commission on March 21 and are waiting for the results and announcement of the top pick.
The Universities Act (2012) gives guidance on the appointment of public university vice-chancellors.
University councils, in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary for Education, are responsible for the appointment, after a competitive recruitment conducted by the PSC.
The qualifications for appointment are prescribed in the regulations, emphasising the need for candidates with distinguished academic records and experience in university management.
However, a draft Bill proposes to change this and vest the powers to the Cabinet Secretary for Education. Some university education stakeholders are calling for reforms that would see to it that appointments prioritise merit, diversity and inclusivity – reducing political and ethnic considerations.
There are growing calls to shift the focus towards selecting competent professionals to head public universities.
Prof James M Njiru is an academic who specialises in aquatic ecology and fisheries science. He earned his doctorate in Aquatic Ecology/Fish Biology and Ecology at Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya. His master’s degree in Aquatic Science/Fish Biology/Ecology was obtained from the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) CEO Prof. James Njiru during an interview at his office in Mombasa in this photo taken on 8 June 2020.
Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group
He holds a BSc in Zoology, Botany and Chemistry from Moi University. He has served as the Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute and is now a professor in the School of Agriculture and Natural Resource Management at Kisii University.
Prof Duke Omondi Orata has extensive experience in physical chemistry. He holds BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in chemistry. Prof Orata’s research primarily focuses on surface-modified electrodes and thermodynamics.
He is a professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Nairobi and has publications and citations in his field.
Prof Elijah Bitange Ndemo is known in entrepreneurship and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
He holds a doctorate in Industrial Economics from the University of Sheffield, an MBA from the University of St Thomas (Minnesota) and a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Minnesota.
Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union Prof Elijah Bitange Ndemo. He served as the ICT Permanent Secretary from 2008 to 2013.
Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group
Prof Ndemo served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication from 2005 to 2013. He credits himself as being instrumental in transformative ICT projects in Kenya.
Prof Ayub Njoroge Gitau is an expert in environmental and biosystems engineering. He is the Dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Nairobi.
Prof Gitau’s research interests include mechanisation and biosystems engineering, where he has numerous publications and citations.
Faculty of Engineering Dean at the University of Nairobi, Prof. Ayub Gitau, gives his remarks during the UON Alumni Association walk media launch held on 16 April 2024 at the University towers in Nairobi.
Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group
He was named acting UoN Vice-Chancellor last year by the council when it sent then-VC Stephen Kiama on leave. Prof Kiama went to court to block the decision.
He is a professor of biochemistry at the University of Nairobi. Prof Mulaa’s research focuses on biocatalysis, biotechnology, bioinformatics, bioseparation and extremophiles.
He has a substantial number of publications and citations in the field. Prof Mulaa is a member of the African Union High Panel on Pan African University Academic Senior Staff Recruitment.
University of Nairobi Prof Francis J. Mulaa during the high level strategy and writing session developing roadmap to manage Aflotoxin risk in Meru county at the University of Nairobi towers, Nairobi. January 24, 2019.
Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group
The University of Nairobi has had a leadership crisis in recent years, with 24 key management positions – including vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellors and directors of critical departments like finance and human resources, held in an acting capacity.
For most of last year, Kenya’s oldest university was gripped by a power struggle between Prof Kiama and the council that is chaired by Prof Amukowa Anangwe.
The council repeatedly sent Prof Kiama on compulsory leave, but the then-VC refused and even went to court.
The standoff came to a head late last year when Prof Anangwe – in an October 14 memo – announced the termination of Prof Kiama’s tenure.
In another twist, Prof Amukowa recently went to court to block his removal as the UoN Council chairman.
