The University of Nairobi (UoN) Council has appointed Prof. Ayub N. Gitau as its 9th Vice-Chancellor, ushering in a new leadership team at one of Kenya’s leading public universities.
According to an announcement on Thursday, May 14, Prof. Josiah O. Aduda has also been named Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Finance, Planning, and Development.
The appointments were announced by the University of Nairobi Council following a special sitting held on May 14, 2026.
Council Chair Chacha Nyaigotti said the move is aimed at strengthening leadership and positioning the university for global competitiveness.
“These appointments mark a new chapter for the University of Nairobi as we strengthen leadership for excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness,” Nyaigotti said.
The council also recognized the efforts of Prof. Margaret J. Hutchinson for her service as Acting VC.
Leadership Wrangles at The University of Nairobi
The appointment of Prof. Ayub Gitau comes after nearly two years of leadership turmoil at the University of Nairobi, marked by power struggles, court battles and governance disputes that disrupted operations.
The crisis intensified in 2024 when former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Gitahi Kiama clashed with the university council over management and financial decisions, leading to his suspension and eventual removal before the end of his term.
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Following his exit, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson took over in an acting capacity, but the university struggled to install a substantive vice-chancellor, creating a prolonged leadership vacuum.
Attempts to appoint a new VC were repeatedly mired in controversy.
In May 2025, the university council named Prof. Bitange Ndemo to the role, but he declined the appointment, citing procedural irregularities and a lack of proper approval from the Education Ministry.
The dispute exposed deep divisions between the university council, management, and government officials, with rival factions backing different candidates.
At one point, conflicting appointments led different individuals to claim the VC office, prompting the Ministry of Education to intervene and nullify the changes, reinstating Prof. Hutchinson.
The standoff also spilled into the courts, with legal challenges halting recruitment processes and further delaying the appointment of a substantive vice-chancellor.
At the height of the crisis, tensions led to the resignation of the university council chair and other members, following pressure from the government, faculty, and investigators probing alleged governance breaches.
Beyond leadership disputes, the instability exposed deeper structural problems.
Parliamentary inquiries flagged financial mismanagement, unapproved senior positions, and a heavy reliance on acting appointments in key offices, some of which had remained unfilled for years.
The university is also battling a mounting debt burden running into billions of shillings, worsening strained relations between management and the council, and affecting staff welfare and operations.
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The prolonged wrangles eroded confidence in the institution’s governance, with government officials warning that the crisis was costing the university funding opportunities and damaging its reputation.
Strengthening Finance and Governance
Alongside Prof. Ayub Gitau, Prof. Aduda steps into the finance docket with strong credentials in business and finance.
He holds a PhD in Finance from the University of Dar es Salaam, as well as an MBA and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi.
Prof. Aduda has been serving as the Dean of the School of Business, where he has been involved in teaching, research, and strategic leadership.
His areas of expertise include finance, accounting, and corporate governance, as well as consultancy and policy engagement.
The Finance, Planning and Development role is considered critical as the university works to address financial pressures facing public universities in Kenya.
His appointment is expected to support efforts to improve financial sustainability, strengthen planning, and drive institutional growth.
