Professor John Okumu has been appointed the new Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University, taking office with immediate effect following a competitive recruitment process conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The appointment was announced by Kenyatta University Council Chairperson Prof. Clara Momanyi, who said Prof. Okumu emerged as the top-ranked candidate during the selection process.

Prof. Okumu is no stranger to the institution, having previously served as Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs for a decade, alongside holding several other senior management positions at the university.

“He is a seasoned academician and administrator who brings a wealth of experience spanning academic leadership, research, and institutional development,” Prof. Momanyi said in a statement.

She expressed confidence that his extensive experience in higher education management, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement would enable him to steer the university into a new era of growth and excellence.

“Given his in-depth experience and strategic insights in higher education management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, the University Council is confident that he will provide visionary and transformational leadership that will guide the University into its next phase of growth and excellence,” she added.

Prof. Okumu succeeds Prof. Paul Wainaina, who retired as Vice Chancellor in January 2026.

A product of Kenyatta University, Prof. Okumu earned his Bachelor of Education (Science) degree in 1986, specialising in Physics. He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Condensed Matter Physics from the same institution in 1988 before pursuing a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, which he completed in 1996.

His academic career at Kenyatta University began in 1988 as a Tutorial Fellow. Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks before being appointed Associate Professor in 2004.

Beyond administration, Prof. Okumu has built a distinguished research career. He has published 26 papers in internationally refereed journals, contributed 18 articles to conference proceedings and authored two books.

He is also a member of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Network, an international platform that supports young African scientists through research collaboration, training and the exchange of scientific knowledge.

His appointment marks a new chapter for Kenyatta University as the institution looks to strengthen academic excellence, research output and innovation under his leadership.