Storm brews in Kenyatta University VC appointments

The High Court has temporarily barred Kenyatta University from appointing a new Vice Chancellor following a dispute over the institution’s recent recruitment process.

The orders were issued by Justice Njoki Mwangi after an application by Prof. Waceke Wanjohi, the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs.

In her ruling, Justice Mwangi directed that the leave granted operate as a temporary injunction restraining the respondents from filling the Vice Chancellor position or appointing any other person other than the applicant, pending the hearing of the case.

Wanjohi has filed the judicial review proceedings against the Cabinet Secretary for Education, the Public Service Commission, the Office of the Attorney General, and the university council, challenging the handling and outcome of interviews conducted in March 2026.

According to court documents, Wanjohi claims she emerged the top candidate in the competitive recruitment process but alleges that the relevant authorities have failed to act on the interview panel’s recommendations.

She further contends that despite the panel recommending her appointment as Vice Chancellor, no steps have been taken by the respondents to implement the decision or release the interview results, including candidates’ scores.

Instead, she alleges that the university council, in conjunction with the Public Service Commission, has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the actions she argues are intended to derail her candidacy.

In the application, Wanjohi is seeking orders to compel the Education Cabinet Secretary to implement the panel’s recommendations and formally release the results of the recruitment process.

She also seeks orders prohibiting the appointment of any other candidate and halting any disciplinary action against her.

Additionally, she is asking the court to quash a decision contained in a letter dated April 16, 2026, which allegedly authorised disciplinary proceedings.

Justice Mwangi also issued interim orders suspending any disciplinary proceedings against Wanjohi pending the determination of the case.

The court directed that Wanjohi file and serve the substantive motion within 14 days from April 23, 2026. The matter will be mentioned on May 20, 2026.

In her filings, Wanjohi argues that the actions taken against her violate her constitutional right to a fair hearing under Article 50 of the Constitution.

She argues that unless the court intervenes, the dispute risks being overtaken by events, potentially rendering the case nugatory if the position is filled before the matter is heard and determined.

Prof. John Okumu has been the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university since January 2026. He took over from Prof. Paul Wainaina, who retired after a tenure marked by leadership wrangles.