Public Service Commission (PSC) has shortlisted candidates to be interviewed this June to fill the positions of Vice-Chancellor (VC) in 13 public universities.
Among the 13 public universities which the Commission seeks to fill the VC positions, three of them – Alupe University, Tom Mboya University and Tharaka University were awarded Charters to operate as full-fledged public universities by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in August 2022.
According to the notices published in its official website, PSC started interviewing top professors from various universities and academic fields on June 14, 2023, an exercise that is set to end on June 23, 2023.
At Alupe University, the position which was advertised by PSC on February 28, attracted 19 applicants with the Commission shortlisting 8 who were interviewed on June 14.
They were Prof. Joseph Chacha from Migori, Prof. Eng. Douglas Shitanda from Kakamega, Prof. Emily Achieng Akuno from Siaya, Prof. Ezekiel Kiptoo Kiprop from Baringo, Eng. Prof. Sibilike Makhamu from Bungoma, Prof. Dr. Nathan Oyori Ogechi from Kisii, Prof. Thomas Kimeli Cheruiyot from Elgeyo Marakwet and Prof. Barasa Lwagula Peter from Busia.
In Machakos University which attracted 53 applicants when the position was advertised on February 28, 2023, 14 candidates were interviewed by PSC on June 14 and 15.
Those interviewed included Prof. Reuben Masambia Muasya from Kitui, Prof. Charity Wangui Gichuki from Nyeri, Prof. Peter Nyamuhanga Mwita from Migori, Prof. John Okumu Akelo from Homa Bay, Prof. Zipporah Waithira Ng’ang’a from Murang’a, Prof. Eng. Abel Nyakundi Mayaka from Kisii and Prof. Leonard Mbevi Masu from Makueni who were interviewed on June 14.
Prof. Linus Muthuri Gitonga from Meru, Prof Catherine Akinyi Muhoma from Uasin Gishu, Prof. Dr. Alexander Kahi from Vihiga, Prof. Francis Mutiso Mathooko from Machakos, Prof. Joyce Jepkirui Agalo from Nandi, Prof. Elijah Omwenga from Kisii and Prof. Hussein Golicha from Marsabit were interviewed on June 15.
At the University of Eldoret where Prof. Teresa Akenga’s term ended on June 8 with Prof. Wilson Kipkoech Ng’etich taking over as acting VC, the Commission shortlisted 14 candidates out of 29 applicants who applied for the position when it was advertised on February 28.
Prof. Maurice Amutabi from Vihiga, Prof. Peter Nyamuhanga Mwita from Migori, Prof. Prisca Jebaibai Tuitoek from Baringo, Prof. Eric Kipyegon Koech from Kericho, Eng. Prof. Ayub Njoroge Gitau from Kiambu, Prof. Joseph Kiplangat from Bomet and Prof. Geoffrey Wahungu from Nyandarua were interviewed on June 15.
Those who appeared before the PSC interview panel on June 16 were Prof. Joseph Chacha from Migori, Prof. Thomas Kimeli Cheruiyot from Elgeyo Marakwet, Prof. Dr. Mary Abukutsa Onyango from Kisumu, Prof. Barasa Peter from Busia, Prof. Ezekiel Kiptoo Kiprop from Baringo, Prof. Kiplagat Kotut from Elgeyo Marakwet and Prof. Eng. Abel N. Mayaka from Kisii.
At Pwani University which attracted 22 applicants when the position was advertised in February this year, the PSC shortlisted only 6 candidates who appeared before the panel on June 16.
They were Prof. Dr. Nathan Oyori Ogechi from Kisii, Prof. John Okumu Akelo from Homa Bay, Prof. James Kahindi from Kilifi, Prof. Charity Wangui Gichuki from Nyeri, Prof. Josphat Mwatelah from Kilifi and Prof. Joseph Rasowo from Siaya.
On June 19, the PSC will interview applicants for Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and Kisii University which is currently under acting Vice Chancellor Prof Joseph Mailutha who took over from founding VC Prof. John Akama.
Kisii University which attracted 16 applicants, will see 10 professors battling it off for the VC position.
They are Prof. Dr. Nathan Oyori Ogechi from Kisii, Prof. Joseph Chacha from Migori, Prof. Eng. Douglas Shitanda from Kakamega, Prof. Bernard Otoki Moirongo from Kisii, Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa from Busia, Prof. Alfred Anakalo Shitandi from Nakuru, Prof. Elijah Omwenga from Kisii, Prof. Constantine Nyamboga, Prof. James Murithi Njiru from Tharaka Nithi and Prof. Julius Ochuodho from Siaya.
At Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, 9 will be interviewed namely Prof. Dr. Benedict Mutua from Kitui, Prof. Jane Beatrice Mugendi from Tharaka Nithi, Prof. Eng. Bernard Ikua from Nyandarua, Prof. Esther Magiri from Tharaka Nithi, Prof. Peter Nganga Muchiri from Kiambu, Prof. Charity Wangui Gichuki from Nyeri, Prof. David Gichoya from Kirinyaga, Prof. Waceke Wanjohi from Nakuru and Prof. Eng. Douglas Shitanda from Kakamega.
10 shortlisted professors will be eying the VC position at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology when PSC will conduct interviews on June 20 after attracting 20 applicants when the position was advertised on April 4.
They include Prof. John Okumu (Homa Bay), Prof. Christine Onyango (Siaya), Prof. Joseph Chacha (Migori), Prof. Emily Achieng’ Akuno (Siaya), Prof. Benedict Mutua (Kitui), Prof. Joseph Bosire (Kisii), Prof. Joseph Rasowo (Siaya), Prof. Eng. Douglas Shitanda (Kakamega), Prof. Maurice Amutabi (Vihiga) and Prof. Charles Mutai (Kericho).
The 8 candidates who will also be seeking to fill the VC position at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) will also be interviewed on June 20 and include Prof. Benedict Mwavu Mutua (Kitui), Eng. Prof. Sibilike Makhanu (Bungoma), Prof. Rosebella Maranga (Kisii), Prof. John Okumu Akelo (Homa Bay), Prof. Charity Gichuki (Nyeri), Prof. Bernard Otoki Moirongo (Kisii), Prof. Eng. Bernard Ikua (Nyandarua), Prof. Paul Shiundu (Busia) and Prof. Joseph Kiplang’at (Bomet).
Candidates for South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) and newly Chartered Tom Mboya University will both be interviewed on June 21, 2023.
For SEKU they will include Prof. Francis Wachira (Nakuru), Prof. Benedict Mutua (Kitui), Prof. Linus Muthuri Gitonga (Meru), Prof. Eng. Douglas Shitanda (Kakamega), Prof. Zipporah Waithira Ng’ang’a (Murang’a), Prof. Reuben Muasya (Kitui), Prof. Emily Achieng Akuno (Siaya), Prof. Ezekiel Kiptoo Kiprop (Baringo) and Prof. Gitonga Mburugu (Meru).
Those who will be interviewed to fill the vacancy at Tom Mboya University include Prof. Joseph Rasowo (Siaya), Prof. Emily Achieng’ Akuno (Siaya), Prof. Maurice Amutabi (Vihiga), Prof. Christine Onyango ( Siaya), Prof. Dr. Nathan Ogechi (Kisii), Prof. John Okumu (Homa Bay), Prof. Eng. Douglas Shitanda (Kakamega), Prof. Charles Omondi (Homa Bay) and Prof. Peter Kithae (Kirinyaga).
Prof. Eric Kipyegon Koech (Kericho), Prof. Joseph Thingithu Mailutha (Meru), Prof. Catherine Akinyi Muhoma (Uasin Gishu), Prof. Wilson Kipkoech Ngetich (Bomet), Prof. Bulitia Godrick Mathews (Trans Nzoia), Prof. Joseph Chacha (Migori), Prof. Prisca J. Tuitoek (Baringo), Prof. Thomas Cheruiyot (Elgeyo Marakwet ), Prof. John Kanjogu Kiumi (Laikipia) and Prof. Elijah I. Omwenga (Kisii) have been shortlisted to fill the VC position at University of Kabianga and they will be interviewed on June 22.
At Karatina University which attracted the highest number of applicants – 46, PSC only shortlisted 13 candidates who will be interviewed for two days. On June 22, Prof. Peninah Aekyo Aloo Obudho (Homa Bay), Prof. Joseph Thingithu Mailutha (Meru), Prof. Zipporah Waithira Ng’ang’a (Murang’a), Prof. Bulitia Godrick Mathews (Trans Nzoia), Prof. Charity Wangui Gichuki (Nyeri), Prof. Linus Muthuri Gitonga (Meru) and Prof. Maurice Oduor Okoth (Siaya) will be interviewed.
Those who will be interviewed on June 23 are Prof. James Njiru (Tharaka Nithi), Eng. Prof. Ayub Njoroge Gitau (Kiambu), Prof. Catherine Akinyi Muhoma (Uasin Gishu), Prof. Maina Maringa (Kirinyaga), Prof. Jane Wangari Mugendi (Tharaka Nithi) and Prof. Dr. Nathan Oyori Ogechi (Kisii).
All the 8 applicants who applied for the VC position at Tharaka University have been shortlisted for interview on June 23, 2023. They include Prof. Linus Gitonga (Meru), Prof. Racheal Gesami (Nyamira), Prof. Maurice Amutabi (Vihiga), Prof. Peter Muriungi (Meru), Prof. Eng. Douglas Shitanda (Kakamega), Prof. Samson Okuro Gunga (Migori), Prof. Reuben Muasya (Kitui) and Prof. Joseph Rasowo (Siaya).
By Education News Reporter
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