At least five persons have been shortlisted for the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of Nairobi.

This follows the unceremonious exit of Prof Stephen Kiama.

The Shortlisted according to the Public Service Commission (PSC) are Professors James Njiru, Duke Orata, Bitange Ndemo, Ayub Njoroge Gitau, and Francis Jackim Mulaa.

Professor John Demesi Mande, the sixth applicant did not make it to the shortlist.

Interviews for the five are set for March 21, 2025

“The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at the Public Service Commission, Harambee Avenue Nairobi on the date and time indicated.

“The candidates should be at the venue at least twenty (20) minutes before the starting time.”

The PSC said that only six candidates applied for the position advertised on January 21, 2025.

The Commission urged candidates to bring originals of their national ID cards, academic and professional certificates, and transcripts as well as any supporting documents and testimonials.

They must also bring a Letter of recognition of qualifications from the Commission for University Education (CUE) for any degree obtained from foreign universities.

The PSC further called on members of the public to avail any credible information of interest relating to any of the shortlisted candidates (through sworn affidavits) to the Secretary/CEO Public Service Commission, 4th floor Commission House, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi or online through [email protected] so as to be received on or before March 19, 2025.

For the better part of last year (2024) The University of Nairobi was embroiled in leadership wrangles between former Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama and the University’s Council, chaired by Amukowa Anangwe.

On several occasions, the council sent Kiama on compulsory leave but he fought back, insisting that he was still the substantive office holder.

Later on in October 2024, the Council chair, Prof Amukowa Anangwe, via a memo dated October 14, 2024 communicated the termination of Kiama’s services.

“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.

He did not divulge the reasons behind the termination of Kiama’s tenure of service, but stated that “reasons for his termination were promptly communicated to him.”.

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.