Professor John Okumu has been appointed the substantive Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University, taking over the leadership of one of Kenya’s leading public universities with immediate effect following a competitive recruitment process conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
According to the University’s Council Chairperson, Prof. Clara Momanyi, Prof. Okumu emerged as the top-ranked candidate in the recruitment exercise.
Announcing the appointment, Prof. Momanyi described the new Vice-Chancellor as an accomplished academic and administrator with decades of experience in university leadership.
“He is a seasoned academician and administrator who brings a wealth of experience spanning academic leadership, research, and institutional development,” she said in a statement.
“Given his in-depth experience and strategic insights in higher education management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, the University Council is confident that he will provide visionary and transformational leadership that will guide the University into its next phase of growth and excellence.” She added.
Prof. Okumu succeeds Prof. Paul Wainaina, who retired in January 2026 after completing his tenure as Vice-Chancellor. Since the retirement, Prof. Okumu had been serving as the university’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, overseeing the institution during the transition period.
Prof. Okumu, a distinguished physicist, has spent more than three decades at Kenyatta University. He earned his Bachelor of Education (Science) degree in Physics in 1986 and later completed a Master of Science in Condensed Matter Physics at the same institution in 1988.
In 1996, he obtained a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He began his academic career as a Tutorial Fellow in 1988 before rising through the ranks to become Associate Professor in 2004 and later a full Professor of Physics.
Beyond teaching and administration, Prof. Okumu has made notable contributions to research, publishing 26 papers in internationally refereed journals, 18 conference proceedings and authoring two books.
He is also a member of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Network, which supports scientific collaboration, research and the training of young African scientists.
