Ayub Njoroge Gitau is an agricultural engineer, academic and university administrator who serves as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi (UoN). He was appointed to the position on May 14, 2026, after spending about 24 years at the institution, where he joined as a lecturer in 2002.
During his 24-year journey at the university, Gitau progressed through academic ranks and took up senior administrative roles, including Chair of the Department of Environmental and Biosystems Engineering, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs. He became a full professor in March 2023, three years before he was appointed Vice-Chancellor.
Ayub Njoroge Gitau’s Appointment as University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor
The University of Nairobi Council appointed Gitau as the institution’s ninth Vice-Chancellor.
In a statement on May 14, the University of Nairobi Council announced that it had appointed Gitau following a special sitting. He later formally took office at an installation ceremony held at Taifa Hall on July 17, 2026.
The council also appointed Prof. Josiah Omollo Aduda as Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Finance, Planning and Development.
Gitau succeeded Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, who had served as Acting Vice-Chancellor during the leadership transition. The appointment placed a long-serving member of the university’s academic staff at the head of the institution.
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The council said Gitau brought experience in higher education, engineering practice, research and university administration. He also spent years in academic leadership, including heading the Faculty of Engineering and serving as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Education and Academic Background
Ayub Njoroge trained as an agricultural engineer, earning a bachelor’s degree from Egerton University in 1990 and later pursuing postgraduate studies at the University of Nairobi.
He graduated from Egerton University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Upper Second Class Honours. He later earned a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Nairobi in 1996 and completed his PhD in the same field in 2005.
His doctoral research focused on soil mechanical behaviour, tillage modelling and tool design, areas related to the development of agricultural machinery and farming technologies.
How Ayub Njoroge Gitau Rose Through the Ranks at UoN
Before joining the University of Nairobi, Ayub Njoroge served as a lecturer and head of department at the Kenya Industrial Training Institute from 1997 to 2001. He then lectured at Kenya Methodist University from 2001 to 2002 before moving to UoN.
Gitau joined the University of Nairobi in 2002 as a lecturer in the Department of Environmental and Biosystems Engineering.
He became a senior lecturer in 2008 and an associate professor in 2015, then was promoted to full professor in March 2023.
His progression also included departmental and faculty leadership. He served as Chair of the Department of Environmental and Biosystems Engineering from July 2011 to July 2017 and as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering from March 2019 to June 2024. He also served as Acting Principal of the College of Architecture and Engineering on different occasions.
In August 2024, Gitau was appointed Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
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Ayub Njoroge Gitau’s Research and Academic Achievements
Gitau’s career includes research on agricultural production, water management, and engineering education.
One of the projects focused on agricultural technologies for conservation tillage in the former Rachuonyo District. The project ran from 2005 to 2010 and was funded by the Lake Victoria Research Initiative and the Inter-University Council for Eastern Africa.
Between 2011 and 2014, he also implemented a water-harvesting project in the semi-arid Kitui West District. Known as Water Harvesting for Sustainable Food and Nutritional Security, the project received funding from the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI).
Ayub Njoroge helped develop the Environmental and Biosystems Engineering curriculum between 2000 and 2003 and led its revision and accreditation by the Engineers Board of Kenya in 2016. Between 2018 and 2020, he also supported the development of engineering programmes at Embu University and Kenyatta University.
As Dean and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Ayub helped implement information and communication technology solutions, supported blended learning, and organised training to help staff use digital platforms.
He has also served as an external examiner for postgraduate and undergraduate programmes at institutions including Makerere University in Uganda, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Egerton University and the University of Zimbabwe.
Gitau has also published research papers, reviewed academic journals and participated in research collaborations with institutions in Africa and Europe.
Gitau is a registered consulting engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). His official profile also lists membership in the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, the International Council on Systems Engineering and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. He is a fellow of the Kenyan Society of Environmental, Biological and Agricultural Engineers.
He served as a council member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya from 2019 to 2021 and has worked as a resource person and consultant in areas including irrigation, renewable energy, environmental conservation and agricultural machinery.
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