Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

- The Public Service Commission (PSC) has scheduled interviews for the five shortlisted candidates vying for the position of vice-chancellor at the University of Nairobi (UoN).

The interviews will take place on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the PSC offices on Harambee Avenue, Nairobi.

In a notice seen by , among the shortlisted candidates is Bitange Ndemo, hailing from Kisii, a global technocrat currently serving as Kenya’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium.

Previously, he was a professor of entrepreneurship at the University of the Nairobi School of Business.

Ndemo is known for advocating development strategies that leverage emerging technologies and social enterprise in Africa.

He also holds board positions in several high-profile organisations, including Safaricom, East Africa’s most profitable company, and serves as a senior advisor to three UN agencies and other non-governmental institutions.

Others include professors James Njiru (Tharaka Nithi), Duke Orata (Homa Bay), Jackim Mulaa Ayub (Busia), and Engineer Njoroge Gitau (Kiambu).

Professor John Demesi Mande from Trans Nzoia did not make it to the list of finalists.

The shortlisted candidates, all male and drawn from various counties, are distinguished academics with extensive experience in higher education. Their interview schedule is as follows:

8.30am – Njiru

9.30am – Orata

10.30am–Ndemo

11.30am – Gitau

12.30pm – Mulaa

Candidates are advised to arrive at the venue at least 20 minutes before their scheduled interviewing time.

Additionally, they are required to present original documents, including their National Identity Card, academic and professional certificates, and, where applicable, a letter of recognition from the Commission for University Education (CUE) for foreign degrees.

The PSC has invited members of the public to submit any credible information regarding the shortlisted candidates.

Such information must be presented through affidavits and submitted to the Secretary/CEO of the Public Service Commission either in person at their Nairobi offices or via email at [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is March 19, 2025.

The interviews come in the wake of leadership changes at the university following the dismissal of former vice chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama.

The UoN Council announced his termination on October 15, 2024, after placing him on compulsory leave earlier in the year.

His tenure as varsity's vice chancellor was marred by controversies, leading to his compulsory leave twice by the university council.

The selection of the next vice-chancellor is crucial for the University of Nairobi as it seeks to uphold its reputation as a leading institution of higher learning in the region.

Source: TUKO.co.ke