Former ICT Principal Secretary and Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Professor Bitange Ndemo, has withdrawn his candidacy for the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of Nairobi (UoN), citing concerns over the procedural integrity of the appointment process.
In a public statement shared on his LinkedIn page, Professor Ndemo revealed that he had been among five candidates shortlisted for the prestigious role, and was one of three finalists interviewed on March 21, 2025. According to Ndemo, he later received a formal appointment letter dated May 5, 2025, from University Council Chairperson Professor Amukowa Anangwe, naming him the incoming Vice Chancellor.
However, Ndemo has questioned the legality and procedural soundness of the process, particularly the requirement for concurrence from the Cabinet Secretary for Education. He stated that despite receiving widespread congratulations following the Council’s announcement, he remained sceptical about whether all legal protocols had been followed.
“I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process and have withdrawn my candidacy for the position,” Ndemo said in his statement. He added that he sought clarification from Professor Anangwe, who assured him that the Ministry’s approval was being processed and that relevant documents had been submitted just an hour before.
In the same appointment letter, the Council confirmed that Professor Ndemo would succeed Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Margaret Jesang Hutchinson after concluding his diplomatic duties in Brussels. To facilitate the transition and avoid an administrative vacuum, the Council named Professor Francis Jackim Mulaa as Acting Vice Chancellor for a six-month period, effective immediately.
“The appointment is intended to preempt an administrative vacuum in the office of the Vice Chancellor since Professor Hutchinson ceased to be Acting Vice Chancellor,” the letter stated.
Ndemo’s withdrawal now places the University in a complex position, raising broader concerns about governance, transparency, and adherence to due process in leadership appointments at Kenya’s oldest and most prestigious public university.
This development also casts a spotlight on the role of the Ministry of Education in university leadership appointments, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and legal compliance in such high-profile transitions.
