Fresh Row Erupts at UoN After Ayub Gitau Appointed Vice-Chancellor

Fresh controversy has erupted at the University of Nairobi after the institution appointed Professor Ayub Njoroge Gitau as its new Vice-Chancellor despite an ongoing court battle over the recruitment process.

The appointment was approved during a special university council meeting on Thursday, May 14, ending months of leadership uncertainty at Kenya’s oldest university. The council said the move was aimed at restoring stability and strengthening academic excellence.

However, Professor Duke Omondi Orata accused the council of defying court orders that had suspended the recruitment process pending a case before the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

Orata argued that he became the leading candidate after Professor Bitange Ndemo withdrew from the race in 2025 and vowed to seek contempt charges against the council.

The leadership wrangles have deepened divisions between the university council and the Ministry of Education, with repeated court battles and political intervention destabilizing the institution since the exit of former VC Stephen Kiama.