PSC advertises vacancies for Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor positions at University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University
By Cy Muganda, January 21, 2025
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced several high-level academic leadership positions at Kenya’s top public universities.
The commission made this announcement in a notice issued on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 35(1)(a)(v) of the Universities Act, 2012, amended through Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act No. 18 of 2018, the Public Service Commission invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the following vacant positions in public universities,” the notice read.
At the University of Nairobi, the commission is seeking applicants for the Vice-Chancellor position and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) position.
The commission further readvertised the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Finance) position at Kenyatta University.
The job advertisement at Kenyatta University follows a cancellation of the initial advertisement in a notice dated December 11, 2024.
“This is to notify the public that the following position advertised on November 26, 2024, is hereby cancelled,” the notice read.
The announcement also includes another vacancy for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration, Finance, Planning, and Development) position at Tharaka University.
The applicants are expected to make their applications before February 11, 2025.
“Applications should reach the Commission on or before February 11, 2025, at the latest, 5:00 pm (East African Time),” the statement added.
UON leadership struggles
This recruitment process is expected to bring an end to the leadership struggles at the University of Nairobi.
In April 2024, the UoN council placed former Vice-Chancellor Stephen Kiama on compulsory leave as part of his exit from the position.
Kiama was later suspended by the council for three months after failing to take the 60-day compulsory leave issued.
On August 5, 2024, the council, led by Professor Amukowa Anangwe, appointed Professor Margret Hutchinson as the new acting vice-chancellor.
Kiama was later fired on September 27, 2024.
In a letter dated October 14, 2024, Anangwe announced that the council had terminated Kiama’s service.
According to the council, Kiama ceased being the vice chancellor on September 27.
“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. Reasons for his termination were promptly communicated to him,” the letter read.
Kiama was appointed Vice-Chancellor in 2020, succeeding Peter Mbithi.
He was expected to serve for five years, until 2025.