The recruitment process for substantive Vice Chancellors at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University has been completed; this is according to Public Service Commission (PSC) Chief Executive Officer Paul Famba.
Speaking before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, Mr. Famba confirmed that names of successful candidates were forwarded to the university council for consideration.
The university council is supposed to review the recommended candidates and appoints one as Vice Chancellor. The council is the legally mandated body to make the final decision.
The PSC had advertised the Vice Chancellor positions on December 16, with the application deadline closing on January 9. For the University of Nairobi, eight candidates applied for the post. Following a thorough selection process, six candidates were shortlisted and interviewed on March 19. Three of those candidates were then recommended and approved for forwarding to the university council for final appointment.
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Similarly, for the Vice Chancellor position at Kenyatta University, 13 candidates applied. Eight of these candidates were shortlisted and interviewed during March 24 and 25. As with the University of Nairobi, three candidates were then forwarded to the university council for consideration.
Committee Members raised concerns about delays in filling senior university leadership positions, highlighting that several institutions have been operating under acting appointments beyond the six-month limit set for interim positions.
In response Melly urged the PSC to initiate recruitment processes at least six months before the expiration of office holders’ terms in order to prevent leadership vacuums at the universities.
In addition to the Vice Chancellor appointments, the PSC also informed the committee that recruitment is ongoing for Chancellors at several other universities, including the University of Kabianga, Kibabii University, Kaimosi Friends University, Pwani University, and Kisii University.
By Obegi Malack
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