Kenya’s envoy to Belgium Bitange Ndemo among candidates shortlisted for UoN VC’s job
UoN has been experiencing leadership wrangles since last year as the former VC and the University Council chair were embroiled in unending fights
Five candidates have been shortlisted for interviews by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to replace former University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Stephen Kiama.
The all-male five applicants, who boast extensive backgrounds in higher education, are professors Bitange Ndemo, James Njiru, Duke Orata, Ayub Njoroge Gitau, and Francis Jackim Mulaa.
They all applied through a competitive application process that began with an advertisement issued on January 21, attracting six applicants by the closing date of February 11.
They will all appear for the scheduled interview this Friday at the PSC offices at Harambee Avenue.
Prof Njiru, currently the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, will be the first one to face the interviewing panel at 8:30 am followed by Prof Orata, a professor of chemistry at the University of Nairobi, the at 9:30 am.
Prof Ndemo, Kenya’s ambassador to Belgium and the United Kingdom, will then follow at 10:30 am as he shall be followed by Prof Gitau, the Dean School of Engineering at UoN, at 11:30 am.
Prof Mulaa, the Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology at UoN, will close the interviews at 12:30 pm.
The candidates have been advised to appear with their original academic papers together with their National Identity Cards, professional Certificates and a letter of recognition for any foreign degrees from the Commission for University Education (CUE).
PSC also invited members of the public to submit any credible information regarding the shortlisted candidates.
“Any information about the shortlisted candidates should be presented through affidavits and can be submitted to the Secretary/CEO of the Public Service Commission, either by visiting their Nairobi offices or via email at [email protected]. Submissions must be received no later than March 19, 2025,” PSC directed.
UoN has been experiencing leadership wrangles since last year as the former VC and the University Council chair Prof Amukowa Anangwe were embroiled in unending fights.
The VC was sent on Compulsory leave by the Council before he was later fired in October last year.
Reasons for his termination were however never made public as the council indicated to have communicated to him.
Kiama was appointed VC of the University on a five-year term beginning in 2020 after taking over from the then-acting Vice Chancellor Peter Mbithi who was also sent on compulsory leave.
Previously, Kiama served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Administration while he acted as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Finance, Planning, and Development.
