NAIROBI, Kenya – The University of Nairobi Council has appointed Prof Ayub Gitau as the institution’s 9th Vice Chancellor, marking a new phase of leadership at Kenya’s oldest public university.
In a statement released after a special sitting on Thursday, May 14, 2026, the council also named Prof Josiah Omollo Aduda as Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance, Planning and Development. The appointments take effect immediately.
Prof Gitau succeeds Prof Margaret Hutchinson, who had been serving in an acting capacity since August 2024 following the suspension and later exit of Prof Stephen Kiama in 2025. The council praised Prof Hutchinson for steering the university through a prolonged transition period.
His appointment comes after months of uncertainty at the institution, which has faced governance challenges following Kiama’s departure. The recruitment process for the substantive vice chancellor had earlier been completed by the Public Service Commission, with shortlisted candidates forwarded to the council for selection.
The university had previously named Prof Bitange Ndemo as VC in May 2025, but he declined the role, citing procedural concerns.
Before his elevation, Prof Gitau served as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and has been involved in various institutional and international academic programmes. Earlier this year, he represented the university at the launch of a European Union–African Union comparative studies initiative, where he highlighted the importance of global academic partnerships and evidence-based policy in higher education.
The latest leadership changes come as the university continues efforts to stabilise governance structures amid long-standing administrative and financial challenges. Education stakeholders are expected to closely monitor the new administration as it takes charge of the institution’s future direction.
