Kenya’s Belgium Ambassador Rejects Appointment As UoN Vice-Chancellor
Bitange Ndemo, Kenya’s ambassador to Belgium, has rejected his appointment as the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, citing reservations about the selection process.
The University Council, led by Prof Amukowa Anangwe, confirmed Prof Ndemo as the substantive VC.
He was scheduled to succeed Prof Margaret Jesang Hutchinson at the conclusion of his diplomatic mission in Brussels during the following six months.
Hutchinson has been acting VC, and Ndemo’s appointment was intended to prevent an administrative vacuum in the position at the end of her tenure.
In a letter dated May 5, the Council also appointed Prof Francis Jackim Mulaa as Acting Vice Chancellor for a six-month interim period to ensure a smooth transition.
Professor Elijah Bitange Ndemo has declined his appointment as the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Nairobi, citing procedural irregularities in the selection process. pic.twitter.com/iToTItrpnt
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) May 9, 2025
However, in a statement, Prof Ndemo described his appointment as unprofessional and sought to distance himself from the post.
“The announcement triggered a flood of congratulatory messages on social media,” the statement read in part.
“However, I dissociate myself from this unprocedural process and have withdrawn my candidacy for the position.”
The University Council confirmed Ndemo’s nomination on Thursday.
The council said that once his diplomatic appointment was over, he would succeed Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson.
Citing anomalies in his appointment, the professor admitted receiving the appointment letter from Prof Anangwe, the chairman of the University Council.
However, he inquired as to whether the appointment had acquired the legally required permission from the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
The chairman reportedly told him that consent had been obtained and the relevant documentation had been submitted.
“On May 5, I received a letter from Hon. Prof Amukowa Anangwe, Chairman of the University Council, appointing me as Vice-Chancellor,” Ndemo said.
“I sought confirmation from the Chairman regarding the Minister for Education’s concurrence, as required by law. Prof Anangwe assured me that it was being addressed and that he had submitted the necessary documents an hour earlier.”
According to Ndemo, Anangwe had already asked Prof Mulaa to serve as VC till he was released from his current ambassadorial position.
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Prof Ndemo claimed that due process had not been followed and immediately withdrew his candidacy.
Dennis Itumbi, the head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, praised Prof Ndemo’s decision, thanking him for advocating the right process and the rule of law.
“Thank you, Prof Bitange Ndemo, for insisting on the right process and the law. Thank you for rejecting the push by some who wanted to act against the law,” Itumbi wrote.
The nomination was viewed as a step toward restoring stability to the institution following nearly two years of internal squabbles.
Kenya’s Belgium Ambassador Rejects Appointment As UoN Vice-Chancellor
