Intrigues behind applicants shortlisted for University of Nairobi VC post

The Public Service Commission has released a list of 8 shortlisted applicants for the Vice Chancellor post at the University of Nairobi (UoN).

Out of 14 applicants, only eight were shortlisted for the interview scheduled for December 18. They are:

Prof. Stephen Kiama Gitahi

Early this year, Prof. Gitahi was caught in the crossfire between the then Education CS Amina Mohammed and the University of Nairobi council.

Though the university council through chairperson had recommended him for the job, the CS opted for Prof. William Ogara.

The university however defied the CS and picked Prof. Gitahi to act in the position for six months.

Prof. Isaac Meroka Mbeche

In July this year, he took over from Prof. Peter Mbithi as the newly appointed acting VC.

He immediately reshuffled over 100 staff members in a move seen as trying to delink his predecessor from university affairs.

Prof Mbithi had been sent on terminal leave on July 6, following staff complaints over alleged corruption and abuse of office.

Prof. Madara Ogot

In February this year, Prof. Ogot was also caught in the leadership wrangles involving the then Education CS Amina Mohamed and the University of Nairobi council.

The CS had bypassed him in her selection of four deputy vice chancellors and had to defend her selection to the then Attorney-General Paul Kihara.

According to the Daily Nation, university council chairperson Julia Ojiambo had written to the AG claiming that they had not recommended the CS’s four candidates.

However, Amb. Mohamed responded saying the appointment of Prof. Lydia Njenga instead of Prof. Ogot was for gender parity sake.

This despite Prof. Njenga scoring 13 points lower than Prof. Ogot.

Prof. Patricia G. Kameri Mbote

She is a top notch lawyer having been selected as a member of the Committee of Eminent Persons appointed by His Excellency the President of Kenya in February 2006.

The Standard newspaper once described her as one of Kenya’s most decorated legal scholars. She is a Professor of Law and the immediate former Dean at the School of Law, University of Nairobi (UON).

She has also served on various boards including the International Development Law Organization (IDLO); Lewa Wildlife Conservancy; Kenya Land Conservation Trust; Kenya Copyright Board, among others.

Prof. Mbote has a Doctor of Science of Law degree from Stanford University.

Prof. Eng. Bernard N.Kimani Njoroge

He served as Director at the National Oil Corporation of Kenya, the National Irrigation Board and the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation.

His degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Civil Engineering is from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina and he has over 25 years experience of university teaching and research.

Prof. Solomon Igosangwa Shibairo

He has served as Dean (Faculty of Agriculture) and as the Ag. Principal for the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences.

He has a PhD in Plant Science from the Institution & Country University of British Columbia, Canada.

Prof. Kareithi Ruth Wanjiru Nduati

She is a Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health. Prof. Nduati previously served as the Chairperson of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Nairobi and Chairperson of the Board of Management for KEMRI.

Prof. Elijah I. Omwenga

He has served on several boards including the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) and The ICTA Authority (ICTA) and also as the Chairman of the Consortium for National Health Research (CNHR).

In 2014 he was named as one of the six members of the new ICT Authority Board expected to enforce ICT standards in Kenya and enhance the supervision of electronic communication.

Prof. Omwenga holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Nairobi.