Former ICT Principal Secretary and Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Professor Bitange Ndemo, has withdrawn from consideration for the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of Nairobi.
The ambassador cited concerns over the procedural integrity of the appointment process.
In a public statement shared on his LinkedIn account, the Professor of Entrepreneurship revealed that he was among five candidates shortlisted for the prestigious role and was one of three finalists following interviews conducted on March 21, 2025.
Ndemo claimed that he subsequently received an appointment letter dated May 5, 2025, from Professor Amukowa Anangwe, Chairman of the University Council, naming him as the incoming Vice Chancellor.
“I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process and have withdrawn my candidacy for the position. In light of these circumstances, I have formally withdrawn my candidacy for the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of Nairobi,” Ndemo said.
Despite a wave of congratulatory messages following the Council's announcement, Ndemo expressed scepticism about whether the legal and procedural requirements, particularly the mandatory concurrence from the Minister for Education, had been fully observed.
He claimed he sought clarification from Professor Anangwe, who assured him that the Ministry’s concurrence was being processed and that the relevant documents had been submitted just an hour earlier.
On May 5, 2025, the University Council formally confirmed Ndemo’s appointment, announcing that he would succeed Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Margaret Jesang Hutchinson upon completion of his diplomatic duties.
In the same letter, signed by Professor Anangwe, the Council appointed Professor Francis Jackim Mulaa as Acting Vice Chancellor for a six-month period, effective immediately, to facilitate Professor Ndemo’s transition back to the country.
The Council said the move would help to avoid an
administrative vacuum as Prof. Ndemo hands over his duties in Brussels before
returning to Kenya to assume his new role.
“Your appointment is intended to preempt an administrative vacuum in the office of the Vice Chancellor since Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson ceased to be the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi…” read the letter signed by Council by Anangwe.
