The leadership saga at the University of Nairobi (UoN) took another dramatic turn this week after Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, publicly declined his appointment as the institution’s next Vice Chancellor, citing procedural irregularities in the selection process.
On Thursday, the University Council had announced Prof. Ndemo as the substantive Vice Chancellor, poised to succeed Acting VC Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson upon the conclusion of her acting term.
In the same breath, the Council appointed Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa — the current Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs — as Acting Vice Chancellor for a six-month period, effective May 5, 2025, ostensibly to bridge the gap before Prof. Ndemo’s anticipated return to Kenya.
However, within hours of the announcement, Prof. Ndemo distanced himself from the appointment, releasing a statement terming the process “unprocedural” and formally withdrawing his candidacy for the top job.
“I wish to make it unequivocally clear that I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process. In light of these circumstances, I have formally withdrawn my candidacy for the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of Nairobi,” he stated.
Prof. Ndemo disclosed that upon receiving his appointment letter, he had sought clarification from the Council Chair, Prof. Amukowa Anangwe, on whether the appointment had received the legally required concurrence from the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
Though Prof. Anangwe reportedly assured him that the requisite documentation had been submitted, Ndemo expressed reservations about the transparency and adherence to due process in the matter.
This unfolding controversy comes against a backdrop of prolonged instability at UoN’s leadership helm.
In the past two years alone, the institution has seen a revolving door of acting Vice Chancellors, with delayed confirmations, frequent reshuffles, and concerns over governance and alleged political meddling.
The decision to appoint a new VC came after the push and pull drama that led to the suspension of Prof. Stephen Kiama.
Kiama was appointed the UoN Vice Chancellor on January 5, 2020, on a five-year term, taking over from Prof Isaac Mbeche who had been serving as VC in an acting capacity since July 2019, when Prof Peter Mbithi was sent on compulsory leave.
Prior to his appointment, Prof Kiama was serving as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Human Resource and Administration and the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in-charge of Finance, Planning and Development.
However, in October 2024, the Council chair, Prof Amukowa Anangwe, via a memo dated October 14, 2024 sent Prof. Kiama home.
“The Council wishes to inform the university community that Prof Stephen Gitahi Kiama’s services as an employee of the University of Nairobi were terminated effective September 27, 2024,” Anangwe said back then.
And now the latest development sees Prof. Mulaa officially take over as Acting Vice Chancellor from Prof. Hutchinson this week.
The Council defended the move, saying it was necessary to “preempt an administrative vacuum” at the university while the search for a substantive leader continues.
According to a document seen by the sauce team, Prof. Ndemo had emerged as the top candidate for the position following interviews conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
His expected appointment had sparked widespread congratulatory messages across social media, underlining his respected standing within academic and public service circles.
