Ndemo declines Nairobi University role, cites breach of procedure

Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, has turned down his appointment as the next Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, saying the process used to name him was flawed.

The University Council had announced on Thursday that Prof. Ndemo would take over as Vice Chancellor once he concludes his diplomatic assignment. It stated that the appointment would replace Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson.

In the meantime, the Council appointed Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa to serve as Acting Vice Chancellor for six months starting immediately, to give Prof. Ndemo time to return to the country.

However, Prof. Ndemo issued a public statement on the same day, rejecting the appointment and questioning how the decision had been made.

He said the process had not followed the proper steps and that he would not be part of it.

"I wish to make it unequivocally clear that I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process. In light of these circumstances, I have formally withdrawn my candidacy for the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of Nairobi," he said.

Prof. Ndemo explained that after he received the letter of appointment, he contacted the Chairman of the University Council, Prof. Amukowa Anangwe, to confirm whether the appointment had been approved by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, as required by law.

He said the Chairman assured him that the concurrence had been sought and that all documents had been forwarded to the ministry.

Even as many people sent congratulatory messages on social media celebrating his expected return to lead Kenya’s oldest public university, Prof. Ndemo stood his ground.

He insisted that the required legal procedures had not been followed, and he would not be part of a flawed process.