Prof. Bitange Ndemo appointed new UoN Vice Chancellor

Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium Prof. Bitange Ndemo has been appointed the new University of Nairobi (UoN) Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Ndemo's appointment was confirmed by the UoN Council, which announced that he would succeed Acting VC Prof Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, after handing over his ambassadorial job.

The Council, in a letter dated May 5, 2025, however appointed Prof. Francis Jackim Mulaa as Acting Vice Chancellor for a six-month period effective immediately, pending Prof. Ndemo’s return 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 Chairperson Prof. Amukowa Anangwe.

“Prof. Elijah Bitange Ndemo is in the process of handing over his current position as Kenya's Ambassador to Belgium in Brussels before he relocates to Kenya. Your acting appointment shall, therefore, cease on the date Prof. Ndemo assumes office as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi.”

Before his new role, Prof Mulaa had been serving as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs.

Prof. Ndemo, the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications, is widely regarded for his leadership in public service and academia.