The year 2023 has witnessed a significant transition in leadership within Kenyan universities as several vice chancellors retired from their roles.
These retirements have led to a void in leadership within some of the country’s prominent institutions of higher education.
WoK take a closer look at the distinguished professors who concluded their tenures this year:
Prof John Akama – Kisii University
Kisii University bid farewell to its inaugural vice chancellor, Prof John Akama, in June 2023. With a decade of dedicated service, Akama played a pivotal role in the university’s growth.
He is the founding principal of the then Kisii University College when it was a subsidiary of Egerton University before being awarded the university charter in 2013.
A renowned author and holder of a PhD from South Illinois University, Prof Akama’s legacy leaves an indelible mark.
Prof Maithula was appointed as acting vice chancellor pending advertisements by the public service commission on the position of Vc.
Prof Mucai Muchiri – Karatina University
On June 5th, 2023, Prof Mucai Muchiri of Karatina University handed over the reins to Prof Linus Muthuri, who is now the acting vice-chancellor.
Prof Muchiri’s impactful leadership journey commenced in 2007 when he assumed the role of VC at the institution, then known as the Mount Kenya Campus of Moi University.
He holds a doctorate of Philosophy from Leicester University in the UK and is credited for transforming the institution from a Kenya Tea Development Training Agency into what it is today.
Notably, his term saw both accomplishments and challenges, including a scholarship-sponsored lecturer who absconded contractual obligations.
Geoffrey Mulivi – South Eastern Kenya University
Prof Geoffrey Mulivi, the vice chancellor of South Eastern Kenya University, predicted his retirement in May 2023 during the university’s 9th graduation ceremony in 2022.
He has served as vice chancellor at the university since 2014. In his ten-year term as vice chancellor, student enrollment at the university has surpassed 10 040.
He has been known as a staunch advocate of embracing dialogue to solve issues, as no strike has ever happened during his 10-year tenure as Vc.
His achievements include the construction of SEKU campuses in Kitui and Wote towns.
Prof Joseph Chacha – Maasai Mara University
The Narok-based university is reportedly facing a leadership crisis following the retirement of former acting vice chancellor prof Joseph Chacha on June 1st 2023.
Chacha took over in 2022 when then VC prof Mary Walingo was forced to step aside over corruption allegations. Following Chacha’s exit, Prof Peninah Aloo Oludho took over as acting VC.
Earlier this year, Chacha had warned university staff against adhering to duties or following orders accorded to them by prof Walingo, adding that she was restricted from accessing the university premises.
Prof Francis Aduol – The Technical University of Kenya
Prof Francis Aduol’s 16-year journey as vice chancellor of The Technical University of Kenya concluded in May 2023, with Prof Paul Shiundu taking the reins as the acting VC.
Aduol’s transformative leadership transitioned the institution from its former state as Kenya Polytechnic, to Kenya Polytechnic University College, to its current state of Technical University of Kenya.
He was praised for his achievements in ensuring that the institution was recognized nationally and internationally.
Earlier this year, he made headlines when he proposed a new funding model for universities, one that would depend on the number of students in an institution rather than the current blanket funding model that exists.
Prof Wilson Kipng’eno – Kabianga University
Prof Wilson Kipng’eno’s retirement earlier this year marked the end of his impactful tenure at Kabianga University.
Kipng’eno served a 10-year term at the university from 2009 to March 2013 as principal when Kabianga was a constituent college of Moi University. His term as Vc started in 2013 when the institution was handed the university charter.
During his ten years tenure, he is credited for making significant reforms in terms of the institution’s infrastructural development, student and staff population, and co-curricular activities.
Prof Elijah Omwenga assumed the role of acting vice-chancellor, ensuring continuity in Kipng’eno’s transformative efforts.
Prof Teresa Akenga – Eldoret University
Prof Teresa Akenga’s ten-year term as the UOE Vice chancellor ended earlier this year. She served two consecutive terms at the university.
Her retirement paved the way for Prof Wilson Ng’etich, the deputy vice-chancellor, to step into the acting VC role.
Prof Akenga was appreciated for her visionary leadership throughout her 10 year term that has grown the university in terms of student enrolment and infrastructural development.
However, her term was marked by numerous strikes, with some regional leaders protesting bias in terms of staff recruitment at the institution.
She was appointed as the first VC of Eldoret University in 2013.
The legacies of these retiring leaders will undoubtedly shape the course of higher education in Kenya for years to come.
