University of Nairobi’s Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Stephen Kiama Gitahi has proceeded on leave effective yesterday, April 19, 2024, days after his Kenyatta University counterpart took his annual leave.
This was resolved during the university’s 144 Council meeting, which further resolved to appoint Prof Ayub Gitau, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, as the Acting VC.
“The University fraternity is called upon to support Prof Ayub Njoroge Gitau as he discharge his new responsibilities as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi,” reads a communiqué from the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs John Orindi addressed to staff and students.
In September last year, Prof Kiama returned to office barely a month after applying for a six-month leave, an application that was submitted to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on July 18, 2023 stating that he required to use up all of his accrued leave days before his contract expired.
The six month leave was to be effective August 1, 2023 to run until January 2024. Prof Kiama by then advised that Prof Julius Ogeng’o, Academic Affairs Deputy VC, be appointed as the acting VC.
On Monday this week, Kenyatta University’s VC Prof Paul Wainaina finally bowed out after an equally controversial tenure that took a collision course with political bigwigs in the previous regime.
In a memo that he himself penned, Prof Wainaina asked the university community to cooperate with the appointed acting VC Prof Waceke Wanjohi.
Prof Kiama became UoN’s VC in January 2020, with his five-year term being expected to end in 2025.
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By Roy Hezron
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