- Suspended Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Professor Waceke Wanjohi has moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court to challenge the appointment of Professor John Okumu as Kenyatta University’s substantive Vice Chancellor.
- The petition questions the legality of the recruitment process, seeks to overturn Professor Okumu’s appointment and challenges disciplinary actions taken against Professor Wanjohi.
- The case is expected to test governance, transparency and constitutional compliance in leadership appointments at Kenya’s public universities.
Kenyatta University has once again found itself at the centre of a leadership dispute after suspended Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Professor Waceke Wanjohi moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court to challenge the appointment of Professor John Okumu as the institution’s substantive Vice Chancellor.
The petition marks the latest development in a leadership contest that has unfolded over several months and places one of Kenya’s leading public universities under renewed legal scrutiny.
At the centre of the dispute are questions surrounding the integrity of the recruitment process, constitutional compliance and the powers of university governing bodies in appointing senior administrators.
Professor Wanjohi is seeking a declaration that Professor Okumu’s appointment was unlawful, arguing that the recruitment process did not comply with the Constitution and the laws governing appointments in public institutions.
She is also asking the court to invalidate the appointment, a move that could reopen the process of appointing the university’s Vice Chancellor.
Beyond the appointment, the petition also challenges disciplinary measures taken against Professor Wanjohi, including her suspension from office, notices requiring her to respond to allegations relating to leadership and integrity, and the revocation of her position as a trustee of the Kenyatta University Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme.
She maintains that the disciplinary actions were unlawful and should be reversed.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court has directed the respondents, including the Ministry of Education, the Attorney General, the Public Service Commission and the Kenyatta University Council, to file their responses before the matter proceeds to the next stage.
The court’s determination is expected to shape not only the future leadership of Kenyatta University but also jurisprudence on governance and recruitment in public universities.
Recruitment process remains contested
Professor Okumu assumed office following a competitive recruitment process conducted through the Public Service Commission after the retirement of former Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Wainaina.
University officials have maintained that the recruitment complied with all established procedures and that Professor Okumu emerged as the highest-ranked candidate.
However, Professor Wanjohi has consistently maintained that she was the successful candidate during the interviews and has previously sought the release of interview scores and recruitment records.
An earlier case filed before the High Court was dismissed after the court ruled that employment-related disputes fall under the jurisdiction of the Employment and Labour Relations Court, prompting the current petition.
Wider implications for university governance
The dispute comes at a time when public universities are under increasing pressure to strengthen governance, improve accountability and ensure appointments to senior leadership positions are transparent and merit-based.
Recent years have seen several universities drawn into legal battles over recruitment processes, reflecting the growing willingness of unsuccessful candidates to seek judicial intervention where they believe due process has not been followed.
Legal experts note that while courts generally avoid interfering with recruitment decisions unless there is evidence of procedural irregularities or constitutional violations, they remain an important safeguard for fairness and the integrity of public appointments.
For students, lecturers and staff, prolonged leadership disputes can affect strategic planning, policy implementation, research collaborations, financial management and institutional reforms.
Should the court uphold Professor Okumu’s appointment, Kenyatta University will continue its leadership transition with greater certainty. However, if the petition succeeds, the university could be required to undertake another recruitment process or face further legal proceedings.
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As the case proceeds before the Employment and Labour Relations Court, it is expected to attract significant national attention because of its implications for university governance, public sector appointments and the interpretation of constitutional principles governing recruitment.
By Hillary Muhalya
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