The Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued directives to the University of Nairobi (UoN) after Bitange Ndemo declined the Vice Chancellor position, despite confirmation by the University Council.
In a statement on May 15, 2025, the commission confirmed it had conducted a competitive recruitment process for the University of Nairobi’s Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor positions after the roles were declared vacant.
“The Commission, therefore, urges the parties involved to resolve the dispute in the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi amicably and expeditiously as guided by the Law to save the country unnecessary anxiety and stem the deterioration of the image of the Premier University,” read the statement.
However, the PSC noted that apart from the University of Nairobi, Vice Chancellor appointments at other universities have faced no leadership disputes, reflecting confidence and professionalism in its recruitment process.
PSC Issues Directives to UON
“The deadlock currently at the University of Nairobi regarding the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor is regrettable and not in the best interest of the country, as it threatens delivery of critical services and academic programmes, in what has been Kenya’s most iconic University,” the statement read in part.
The Commission argued that it had advertised the positions, shortlisted qualified candidates per the set criteria, and conducted interviews accordingly.
According to the Commission, the top candidates were ranked based on performance and the interview process was conducted on merit before the list was forwarded to the Chairperson of the Council of the University of Nairobi for appointment in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary.
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Commission Stand on Recruitment Process
The Public Service Commission said its attention had been drawn to recent media reports concerning the recruitment of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, a process in which it had been involved in accordance with its legal mandate.
“The Commission wish to confirm that the interviews for the University of Nairobi are some of the most recent that the Commission has conducted in a bid to clear the backlog of pending requests for filling of vacancies in public universities,” part of the statement read.
Further, PSC stated that the University of Nairobi interviews were among the most recent conducted as part of efforts to clear a backlog of pending recruitment requests from public universities.
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List of Universities with New Vice Chancellors
PSC noted that since the new Vice Chairperson and Commissioners assumed office in January 2025, it has swiftly cleared a backlog of 19 top university management vacancies.
These includes Open University of Kenya, Garissa University, Pwani University, Technical University of Kenya, Multimedia University, Meru University of Science and Technology.
Other recruitment processes in the pipeline include for Kisii University, Karatina University, Kaimosi University, Turkana University, Alupe University, Tharaka University and University of Nairobi.
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