KU VC Prof Wainaina goes on annual leave, appoints his deputy to take charge

Kenyatta University (KU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Paul Wainaina is going on an annual leave effective from Monday.

In an internal memo to the university fraternity, Prof Wainaina announced that he is going on an accumulated annual leave, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Academics Prof Waceke Wanjohi has been appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor.

“Following consultations with the Univerisity Council, I wish to notify the university community that I will be proceeding on annual leave with effect from 15th April 2024,” reads the memo in part.

Wainaina requested all students to accord Prof Waceke support as she takes up the duties of the office of the VC.

The memo does not indicate his return date from his leave.

His last appearance was on Sunday when the university held a prayer service in honor of the 11 students whose lives were claimed in the Kenyatta University accident on March 18.

Prof Wainaina’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor has been marred with controversy, most notably his dismissal as the university’s VC in August 2022.

His dismissal came after he locked horns with the government over a piece of land that the government wanted for the construction of the World Health Organization (WHO) African regional operations and logistics hub.

Wainaina was dismissed as VC for refusing to give the government a piece of land for the construction of the WHO logistics hub.

The Kenyatta University council then announced Prof. Waceke would take over as the Vice-Chancellor.

He was however reinstated three months later as the Kenyatta University VC when the Kenya Kwanza government came into power.