Kenyatta University has officially appointed Professor John Okumu as its substantive Vice Chancellor, ending months of uncertainty over the leadership of one of Kenya's largest public universities.
The appointment follows a competitive recruitment process conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and comes after months of legal disputes that delayed the selection of a new university chief.
Okumu now takes over at a critical time as the institution seeks to restore stability and strengthen academic leadership.
Kenyatta University Appoints Prof John Okumu as Vice Chancellor After PSC Recruitment
The appointment was announced on Monday by Kenyatta University Council Chairperson Clara Momanyi.
She said the University Council appointed Prof. John Okumu in accordance with the Universities Act and with the concurrence of the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
According to the council, Okumu emerged as the top-ranked candidate in the competitive recruitment process conducted by the Public Service Commission.
His appointment takes effect immediately.
Prof Okumu Takes Over After Months of Acting Leadership
Prof. Okumu has been serving as the acting Vice Chancellor since the retirement of Prof. Paul Wainaina, who completed his eight-year tenure.
Before assuming the acting role, Okumu served as Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs and held several other senior leadership positions within the university.
His elevation to the substantive position brings an end to more than six months of leadership uncertainty at the institution.
Court Battles Delayed Appointment of New Vice Chancellor
The recruitment process faced major legal hurdles earlier this year.
In April 2026, the High Court temporarily suspended the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor following a petition challenging the recruitment process.
The case was filed by Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Waceke Wanjohi, who alleged that she had emerged as the top candidate during the PSC interviews conducted in March 2026.
She claimed the recruitment process unfairly favoured another candidate and sought the release of the candidates' interview scores.
Despite the legal challenges, the University Council has now concluded the process by appointing Prof. Okumu as the institution's substantive Vice Chancellor.
Leadership Transition at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| New Vice Chancellor | Prof. John Okumu |
| Institution | Kenyatta University |
| Appointing body | University Council |
| Recruitment | Public Service Commission |
| Effective date | Immediate |
| Previous role | Acting VC and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) |
Prof. Okumu's appointment marks a new chapter for Kenyatta University, with expectations that stable leadership will help steer the institution beyond months of legal uncertainty and strengthen its academic and administrative agenda.
