UoN Chaos Deepens as VC Appointed Amid Court Battle, Contempt Claims Emerge
Fresh turmoil has engulfed the University of Nairobi after the institution officially appointed Professor Ayub Njoroge Gitau as its new Vice-Chancellor despite an ongoing court dispute that had allegedly frozen the recruitment process.
The controversial decision, approved during a special sitting of the university council on Thursday, May 14, has triggered outrage, legal threats, and renewed scrutiny over the governance crisis that has paralysed Kenya’s oldest university for months.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the council announced that Professor Gitau would serve as the institution’s 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor, describing the appointment as part of efforts to restore stability, strengthen academic excellence, and usher in a new era of leadership at the troubled institution.
But the announcement immediately sparked protests and accusations that the university council had openly defied court directives.
Professor Duke Omondi Orata, who is at the centre of the legal challenge, accused the council of acting in contempt of court by proceeding with the appointment despite previous orders issued by the Employment and Labour Relations Court halting the recruitment process.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke shortly after the announcement, Orata vowed to return to court and seek contempt proceedings against members of the council.
“They have gone ahead and made the appointment this morning in contempt of previous court orders that ordered a freeze on the process. I am really concerned about this and will be moving to court to press for contempt charges,” Orata said.
Court filings show that Justice Jemimah Wanza Keli had earlier issued directions in April 2026 concerning the disputed recruitment exercise, with the matter scheduled for mention on May 26, 2026, for further directions and the possible issuance of a judgment date.
The legal battle dates back to January 2026, when the court issued fresh orders restraining the University of Nairobi Council from continuing with the recruitment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor pending the hearing and determination of the case filed by Orata.
According to documents presented before the court, Orata argues that an earlier recruitment process conducted through the Public Service Commission had already produced a valid merit list in which Professor Bitange Ndemo emerged as the top candidate, while Orata ranked second.
However, following Ndemo’s withdrawal from the race in May 2025, Orata insists that he automatically became the leading candidate and therefore had a legitimate expectation to be appointed Vice-Chancellor in line with university statutes and established recruitment procedures.
Despite the controversy, the council also approved the appointment of Professor Josiah Omollo Aduda as Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Finance, Planning and Development.
The council further praised acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Jesang Hutchinson for steering the institution during what it described as a difficult transition period marked by leadership uncertainty and governance tensions.
The latest standoff is expected to intensify the already bitter power struggle that has exposed deep divisions between the university council and the Ministry of Education, with previous appointments repeatedly attracting court cases, parliamentary scrutiny, and intervention from state agencies.
The University of Nairobi has operated under acting leadership since September 2024 following the dramatic fallout involving former Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Kiama, whose exit came amid disputes with the council, financial strain, and governance disagreements that plunged the institution into prolonged instability.
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