Kibabii University has appointed a new Acting Vice Chancellor following the exit of Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo, whose tenure in the position ended on October 25, 2026.
In a statement on November 11, the university said its Council appointed Prof. Joshua Ondura Ogendo as Acting Vice Chancellor for three months, effective October 26, 2026.
“Kibabii University Council has appointed Prof. Joshua Ondura Ogendo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs), as Acting Vice Chancellor for three months, effective October 26, 2026,” the statement read.
Prof. Ogendo previously served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs.
Kibabii University New Appointment
Following Prof. Ogendo’s appointment, the University Council named Prof. Samuel Mungai Mbugua as Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs.
“Consequently, Prof. Samuel Mungai Mbugua has been appointed Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs).”
University Council Chairman Prof. Chris Macoloo assured the university community of the Council’s commitment to a professional, seamless leadership transition.
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He also acknowledged the continued support and dedication of the university’s management and staff during the transition.
Who Is Prof. Joshua Ogendo, Kibabii University’s New Acting Vice Chancellor?
Prof. Joshua Ondura Ogendo is a Kenyan agricultural scientist and university administrator with more than 25 years of experience in academia, research and university management.
He is an Associate Professor of Agronomy specialising in crop protection and stored-products entomology, an area of study focusing on pests that damage stored grains and other food commodities.
Prof. Ogendo holds a PhD in Agronomy, specialising in Crop Protection and Stored Products Entomology, from Egerton University, which he obtained in 2008.
He also holds a Master of Science in Grain Storage Management from the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom, which he earned in 2001.
His other qualifications include a Master of Science in Agronomy (1992) and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (1988), both from the University of Nairobi.
His Academic and Leadership Career
Prof. Ogendo began his academic career at Egerton University in July 1997, joining the Department of Agronomy as an Assistant Lecturer.
He later rose through the ranks to become an Associate Professor of Crop Protection in the Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils.
Between January 2009 and October 2014, he served as Chairman of the Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils before becoming Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, a position he held from October 2014 to October 2018.
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He also served as Principal of Egerton University’s Nakuru Town Campus College from August 2021.
Research and Professional Experience
His research interests include bio-intensive pest management, food security, grain storage, post-harvest losses and sustainable crop protection.
Ogendo’s academic output includes 54 peer-reviewed journal publications, four book chapters and 14 outreach publications. He has also made more than 100 conference presentations and supervised 10 postgraduate students.
Prof. Ogendo serves as President of the International Society of Pesticidal Plants (ISPP) and chairs Kenya’s Pesticidal Plant Technologies Network (PEPTEN).
Prof. Ogendo joined Kibabii University as Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs on January 3, 2025.
On October 26, 2026, the university appointed him Acting Vice-Chancellor for three months following the conclusion of Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo’s tenure in the position.
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