President William Ruto has appointed Professor Patrick Verkooijen as the new Chancellor of the University of Nairobi.
Prof Verkooijen will serve in his new capacity for the next five years.
“I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Patrick V. Verkooijen (Prof.) to be the Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, for five years, with effect from the 12th January 2024,” reads a gazette notice seen by the Star.
He replaces Professor Amukowa Anangwe who has been serving as Acting Chancellor.
Before he was appointed Chancellor, Prof Verkooijen served as the Distinguished Chair of The Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies by the University of Nairobi.
He was appointed to this role in September 2022.
Prof Verkooijen is also the CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, and the Ban Ki-moon Chair on Climate Adaptation Governance at the University of Groningen.
He previously served as the World Bank Group Special Representative on Climate Change.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, a Master of Science in Philosophy and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Sustainable Development Diplomacy.
He also hold a Master of Public Affairs, International Negotiations, as well as a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, of the University of Nairobi in recognition of his long career and achievements in championing climate action globally and shaping bold action at scale in Africa.
