The appointment was confirmed during a special sitting of the University Council held on Thursday, May 14, bringing to an end months of uncertainty and leadership wrangles that have affected Kenya’s oldest university.
In its statement, the Council said Prof. Gitau would serve as the institution’s ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor.
It added that the leadership changes were aimed at ushering in a new era of academic excellence, institutional stability and improved governance.
However, the announcement immediately sparked protests and renewed legal concerns, with Professor Duke Omondi Orata raising objections over the decision.
Orata accused the University Council of proceeding with the appointment in defiance of existing court orders that had allegedly frozen the recruitment process pending the determination of a case before the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
The dispute adds a new layer to the long-running leadership crisis at the university, which has in recent years been marked by court battles, disputed appointments and governance challenges involving senior administrative positions.
The Council, however, maintained that its decision followed due process during the special sitting and reflected the need to restore stability at the institution after prolonged uncertainty.
According to the announcement, Prof. Gitau takes over at a time when the university is seeking to strengthen its academic programmes, improve internal management systems and address operational challenges that have affected staff and students.
The leadership transition also includes the appointment of Professor Josiah O. Aduda as Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Finance, Planning and Development, a role seen as critical in addressing the institution’s financial and strategic planning needs.
Despite the official confirmation, the controversy surrounding the appointment is expected to continue, with stakeholders closely watching how the legal dispute unfolds in court.
Education observers note that the University of Nairobi has for years struggled with recurring leadership transitions that have often been accompanied by legal challenges and internal disagreements among key stakeholders.
The latest dispute underscores the ongoing tension between governance decisions made by the University Council and court interventions aimed at ensuring compliance with employment and administrative laws.