Prof John Okumu Finally Confirmed as Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor
Kenyatta University has appointed Professor John Okumu as its substantive Vice Chancellor following a competitive recruitment process conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC), bringing to an end more than six months of leadership transition at the institution.
The appointment was announced on Monday, July 27, by Kenyatta University Council Chairperson Clara Momanyi, who stated that the decision was made in accordance with the provisions of the Universities Act.
“In exercise of the provisions of Section 35(1)(a)(v) of the Universities Act and with the concurrence of the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, the University Council is pleased to inform you that it has appointed Prof. John Okumu as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University with immediate effect,” Momanyi stated.
According to the university council, Professor Okumu emerged as the top-ranked candidate during the competitive recruitment process conducted by the Public Service Commission.
“The appointment follows a competitive recruitment process by the Public Service Commission where Prof. John Okumu was the top-ranked candidate,” the council added.
The appointment fills the substantive Vice Chancellor position following the retirement of former Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Wainaina, who served in the role for eight years before leaving office. Since Wainaina’s retirement, Professor Okumu had been serving as Acting Vice Chancellor.
Prior to assuming the acting role, Professor Okumu held several senior leadership positions at Kenyatta University, including Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs.
The appointment follows a recruitment process that was the subject of legal proceedings earlier this year.
In April 2026, the High Court temporarily halted the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor after a petition challenged the recruitment process undertaken by the Public Service Commission.
The case was filed by Professor Waceke Wanjohi, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who alleged that she had emerged as the highest-ranked candidate during the Public Service Commission interviews conducted in March 2026.
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Professor Wanjohi argued that despite her performance in the recruitment process, she had been unfairly overlooked in favour of another candidate. She further sought orders compelling the Ministry of Education to disclose the exact scores awarded to all candidates who participated in the interviews.
Despite the legal dispute that delayed the recruitment process, the Kenyatta University Council has now confirmed Professor John Okumu as the institution’s substantive Vice Chancellor, with the appointment taking effect immediately in accordance with Section 35(1)(a)(v) of the Universities Act and with the concurrence of the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
Prof John Okumu Finally Confirmed as Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor
