NAIROBI, Kenya – In a surprise twist to what many had already celebrated as a done deal, Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, has officially declined his appointment as the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi (UoN)—and he’s not mincing words about why.
Despite a formal announcement from the university’s council and a wave of congratulatory messages on social media, Prof. Ndemo issued a statement on Thursday distancing himself from the position.
His reason? A process he described as “unprocedural.”
Just days ago, UoN’s governing Council declared Prof. Ndemo the incoming Vice Chancellor, set to replace Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, the current acting VC.
The council’s letter, dated May 5, 2025, even laid out a transition plan—naming Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa as Acting Vice Chancellor for six months while Ndemo wrapped up his diplomatic posting in Brussels.
But behind the scenes, things weren’t adding up for the tech-savvy former PS and academic.
Upon receiving his appointment letter, Prof. Ndemo sought clarification from Council Chair Prof. Amukowa Anangwe on whether the selection had followed the legally required procedure—specifically, if it had the concurrence of the Education Cabinet Secretary, as mandated by law.
Although he was told that the requisite documents had been submitted, Ndemo didn’t buy it. In his public statement, he flatly withdrew his candidacy:
“I wish to make it unequivocally clear that I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process.”
Why It Matters for UoN
This development has raised fresh concerns over governance and transparency in Kenya’s top public universities.
The position of Vice Chancellor at UoN isn’t just administrative—it shapes academic policy, research direction, and the university’s overall reputation on the global stage.
Ndemo’s rejection of the role, particularly over a procedural flaw, sends a strong message about accountability in public sector appointments. It also puts pressure on UoN’s Council to clean up the process if they want to maintain credibility.
With Prof. Mulaa temporarily at the helm and Prof. Ndemo out of the picture, UoN is now back at square one—at least partially.
As previous controversies around university leadership in Kenya have shown, any deviation from due process tends to stir public criticism, especially in institutions as prominent as UoN.
The Council’s next move will be closely watched not just by the academic community but also by education stakeholders and political observers. Will the Education Ministry weigh in? And will future appointments follow stricter transparency protocols?
In the meantime, Ndemo returns to his diplomatic duties in Brussels, and the university—once again—navigates a leadership vacuum.
Prof. Ndemo’s decision may have shocked many, but it underscores a larger truth: procedural integrity matters—especially in public institutions. Whether you’re leading a lecture hall or a diplomatic mission, the rules must be followed.
