The search for the next leader of the University of Nairobi (UoN) has entered a decisive phase after the Public Service Commission announced the applicants and shortlisted candidates for the vice-chancellor position.
The recruitment process at UoN is part of the commission’s broader mandate to ensure transparent and competitive recruitment for senior public positions. According to the official notice, the exercise was conducted under the legal framework governing universities in Kenya.
The Public Service Commission stated, “Applicants and shortlisted candidates for the position of Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi.”
The notice further explained that the recruitment complied with the provisions of the Universities Act and related amendments, with applications invited through a public advertisement in December 2025.
The commission confirmed, “The advertisement closed on 9th January, 2026 and attracted a total of eight applications.”
Following the shortlisting process, the commission published the names of applicants and shortlisted candidates together with the interview schedule.
Applicants Who Expressed Interest in Vice Chancellor Position
The position attracted eight applicants drawn from different parts of the country, reflecting widespread interest in leading one of Kenya’s most prominent universities.
| S/No | Name | Gender | County |
| 1 | Prof. Bernard Odhiambo Aduda | Male | Kisumu |
| 2 | Prof. Isaiah Omolo Ndiege | Male | Siaya |
| 3 | Prof. Mary Abukutsa-Onyango | Female | Kakamega |
| 4 | Prof. Gabriel Nyamwamu Magoma | Male | Kisii |
| 5 | Prof. Theophilus Mwendwa Mutui | Male | Kitui |
| 6 | Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa | Male | Busia |
| 7 | Prof. Stephen Onyango Odebero | Male | Busia |
| 8 | Eng. Prof. Ayub Njoroge Gitau | Male | Kiambu |
The commission published the list as part of its commitment to transparency in public appointments.
Shortlisted candidates
After reviewing the applications, the commission shortlisted six candidates who will now proceed to the interview stage. The interviews will determine who becomes the next vice chancellor of UoN.
| S/No | Name | Gender | County | Interview Time |
| 1 | Prof. Bernard Odhiambo Aduda | Male | Kisumu | 9.00 a.m. |
| 2 | Prof. Isaiah Omolo Ndiege | Male | Siaya | 9.45 a.m. |
| 3 | Prof. Stephen Onyango Odebero | Male | Busia | 10.30 a.m. |
| 4 | Prof. Mary Abukutsa-Onyango | Female | Kakamega | 11.15 a.m. |
| 5 | Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa | Male | Busia | 12.00 noon |
| 6 | Eng. Prof. Ayub Njoroge Gitau | Male | Kiambu | 12.45 p.m. |
The commission indicated, “The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at the Public Service Commission, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi, on the date and time indicated.”
Candidates are also required to arrive early before their scheduled time.
The notice states, “The candidates should be at the venue at least twenty (20) minutes before their scheduled time.”
Interview Process and Requirements
During the interviews, candidates must present original documents, including identification, academic certificates, professional qualifications, and relevant clearance certificates from regulatory bodies.
The document further notes that shortlisted candidates will be required to present original copies of the required credentials to verify their qualifications and eligibility for the position.
Public Participation in the Selection Process
The Public Service Commission has invited members of the public to participate in the recruitment process by submitting credible information about any of the shortlisted candidates.
The notice states, “Members of the public are invited to provide any credible information of interest relating to any of the shortlisted candidates.”
Such information should be submitted to the commission through sworn affidavits before the stated deadline.
READ ALSO: Court halts UoN vice-chancellor hiring as Prof. Orata contests stalled process
The current recruitment process follows a prolonged leadership dispute at the institution, during which it operated without a substantive vice chancellor for months.
Former Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama was sent on compulsory leave in 2024 following disagreements between the university management and the University Council over governance and financial management issues. The decision triggered legal and administrative disputes that attracted national attention and exposed deep divisions within the institution’s leadership.
During the standoff, the university council appointed Prof. Margaret Hutchinson (pictured below) as Acting Vice Chancellor to oversee operations and ensure continuity in the university’s administration.
UoN is Kenya’s oldest and one of its most prestigious universities. Its origins trace back to 1956, when the Royal Technical College of East Africa was established in Nairobi to provide higher education for the region.
In 1961, it became the Royal College of Nairobi, a constituent college of the University of London, offering degrees awarded by the University of London. Following regional educational reforms, it later joined the University of East Africa alongside colleges in Uganda and Tanzania.
In 1970, the University of East Africa was dissolved, and the institution became the independent University of Nairobi, Kenya’s first national university. Since then, UoN has grown into a major centre for teaching, research, and innovation, producing many of Kenya’s leading professionals, scholars, and political leaders.
By Joseph Mambili
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