Prof. Ayub Gitau taking the oath of office as the new UoN VC at the Installation Ceremony.
The University of Nairobi has officially installed its new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayub Gitau, in a grand installation ceremony marking a significant moment for the institution, with the new VC outlining a bold vision to position UoN as a global leader in developing visionary leaders, transformative knowledge, and inspiring innovations.
The grand event held on the 17th July 2026 and attended by a distinguished gathering of academic leaders and government officials marked a change of guard at Kenya’s premier university.
In his inaugural address, Professor Gitau expressed his honor at earning the university's confidence. He also articulated a bold vision for the university, pledging to actively champion research and innovation during his tenure.
"The University of Nairobi will shape the future! My vision is to position the University of Nairobi as the university that develops visionary leaders, advances transformative knowledge, and inspires innovations that shape the future of Kenya, Africa and the world," he vowed.
Prof. Gitau unveiled a comprehensive strategic plan that will facilitate his vision. This ambitious plan encompasses six key priorities: enhancing student success and well-being through holistic support, advancing research and innovation with initiatives like a new self-paced entrepreneurship course, accelerating digital transformation for improved efficiency and service delivery, undertaking significant infrastructure development including a new Engineering and Science Complex, empowering and motivating staff through better working conditions and career support, and strengthening alumni engagement and partnerships to align with the university's long-term aspirations.
Academic leaders and colleagues gave resounding speeches that painted the newly inaugurated VC as a professional who consistently left a significant mark of scholarly and professional excellence at every office he held at the institution.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise Margaret Hutchison lauded Professor Gitau as a hardworking and respected colleague.
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Eng. Prof. Siphila Wanjiku Mumenya provided a comprehensive overview of the VC's impressive academic, scholarly, and professional achievements, highlighting his significant contributions to shaping the university's academic direction through his oversight of academic policy, quality assurance, and strategic planning.
The Chair of Council Prof. Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha, formally installed Prof. Gitau, a move that was met with enthusiastic support from the academic community. He pledged his support and that of the council to the new VC.
“To the VC, the Council will provide strategic oversight; we will not micromanage. Ours will be a partnership of candour and confidence,” he said in his address.
Prof. Chacha also lauded the VC’s predecessor Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, who served as acting VC for holding the university steadily through a season of transition with grace, diligence and unwavering devotion.
Higher Education and Research Principal Secretary, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, addressed the new VC, reiterating the call to position UoN as a globally competitive innovation ecosystem and assured staff that their salaries would be processed soon and urged the VC to do everything possible to enhance the potential of the university's staff and students.
In his address at the event Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi expressed his confidence in Prof. Gitau’s administration.
“My brother has a great vision for this university. My expectations and those oF Kenyans are very high, our expectations is that they will lead better than those who have been there before,’’ he stated.
He further urged the university’s administration to take advantage and use what he quoted as “a very rich alumni association’’ adequately to impact UoN’s development.
The university’s professors represented by Prof. Peter Wasamba, pledged their full support to the new VC, promising to enhance their efforts in research, teaching, networking, grant seeking, and student mentorship. They also called upon the management to foster a conducive environment and urged the university to re-examine reforms to ensure stability to drive the institutions vision forward.
Remarks from guest VCs from various institutions, VCs Emeritus from the University of Nairobi and beyond, and Principals of constituent colleges painted a picture of confidence in the leadership of the new VC. They expressed confidence in the incoming leadership and the anticipated stability at the University of Nairobi.
The event also saw a symbolic ceremony of change of guard where the new VC was handed the university’s instruments and the symbols of power. These included The Constitution of Kenya, the University logo and name, the university Charter and Statutes, the Mace, the Seal, the university flag, the Kenya national flag, the East African flag and the Fountain of knowledge.
The faculty congratulates the VC for this momentous feat.
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