The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Migosi Ogamba, has made widespread changes in the leadership of public universities, with the appointment and reappointment of council chairpersons and members in over two dozen institutions across the country.

These decisions, made in accordance with sections 36 and 55 of the Universities Act, took effect from July 25, 2025, and will run for three years.

Among the key highlights of the announcement is the reappointment of Cyrus Gituai as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). The gazette notice stated that the reappointment was made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 55 (3)(a) of the Universities Act, 2012.”

At the University of Nairobi, Julius Ogamba appointed Prof. Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha as Chairperson of the council.

The council’s composition was further expanded to include Ambassador John Kakonge, Samuel Njuguna Kimani, Dr. Jonathan Lodompui, and Mary Amuyunzu. Egerton University saw the appointment of Prof. James K. Sang as Chairperson, along with Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed and Amos Okello as council members.

Kenyatta University had two sets of changes. In the first, Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Bashir Yusuf and Alice Waruguru Muita were reappointed to the council.

In the second, Joash Mokamba Keraita and Isaac Opuya Litali were appointed as new members.

Kisii University experienced similar updates, with Josephat Kipsoy Sawe reappointed while Dr. Pamela Awuor Ochieng, Rev. Prof. Peter Mageto, and Dr. Mwenda Makathimo were appointed.

The council will be chaired by Prof. P. M. Kutima, with Christine Guchu also joining as a member.

At the University of Embu, Prof. Kutima and Christine Guchu were appointed as Chairperson and council member respectively.

The University of Eldoret had the reappointment of Dr. Peter Onchari Kereri, with Evelyne Timpiyan Legis and Razoah Vitisia joining the council. Murang’a University of Technology received four new members: Allan Mugambi Michael, Amran Mohamed Ali, Getrude Chemutai Kurgat, and Abdul Ramadhan Odhiambo.

Garissa University will have Dr. Alice Otwala, CPA Jonah Kariuki, and John Karani Ndiwa as its new council members, while Hassan Sheikh Mohamed was reappointed. In Nyandarua University College, the appointees were Job Wafula Chelongo, CPA Julius Obare Mokogi, Kariuki Peter Maru, Kirkwony Sophy, and Fatuma Abdi.

In Bomet University College, Prof. John O. Shiundu was appointed as Chairperson.

The new council members are Dr. Emily Kwamboka Nyagaram, Rose Chepkorir, and Fredrick Njoroge. Reuben C. Butaki was reappointed to serve another term. Mama Ngina University College received five new members: Lizzie Chongoti, Dr. Joyce Kemunto Nyabuti, Gilbert Wafula Nyongesa, Thomas Meigkwelly Leremore, and Davies Mukuria.

Prof. Josephat Kipkoech Yego was appointed to chair the council of Koitaleel Samoei University College, with Elizabeth Mjomba and Prof. Raphael Kapiyo appointed as members.

At Moi University, Mercy Ringa Njagi was added to the council. Laikipia University’s new council member is Eliazer Kipyego Kogey.

The Technical University of Kenya had two appointments: Dr. Idle Omar Farah, who was reappointed as Chairperson, and Eng. John Nyambok as a new member.

Karatina University saw the appointment of David Joseph Osero and Edward Kobuthi, alongside the reappointment of David Opiyo. South Eastern Kenya University appointed David Kipngetich Koech as a council member, while the Co-operative University of Kenya brought in Anthony Saiti and Mary Simat.

Taita Taveta University’s council was strengthened through the reappointment of Prof. Isaac Meroka Mbeche as Chairperson, with new appointments of Emma Kibiru and Stephen Kilungya. Rongo University welcomed Willy Kioko Malile to its council.

All the appointments and reappointments take effect from July 25, 2025, and will last for three years.