10 professors in battle to become next Kisii University VC

The main entrance to Kisii University. [Sammy Omingi, Standard]

Ten top university professors have been shortlisted for interviews to fill the vacant Vice Chancellor position at Kisii University.

A total of 16 individuals had applied for shortlisting by the Public Service Commission (PSC) picked on 10 from seven different counties.

Last Friday, the university's founding Vice Chancellor John Akama bowed out after 10 years at the helm of the institution.

A message from the university management said: "Today marks the end of our first Vice Chancellor, Prof John Akama's term as he hands over the instruments of leadership to the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Joseph Mailutha."

Prof Akama was the founding Principal of the then Kisii University College which he led to formally acquiring a charter in 2013 to become a full-fledged university.

Top in the list to become the university's second VC is Moi University Deputy VC (Student Affairs) Prof Nathan Oyori Ogechi.

Prof Ogechi is a specialist in Linguistics and African Languages with a focus on Kiswahili, Ekegusii and Sheng codes, including translation and communication.

Another top don for the race, Prof Joseph Chacha has been at the helm of the Maasai Mara University since January 2022. He retired on June 1, 2023.

Third in the list is Machakos University Deputy VC (Administration, Planning and Finance) Prof Douglas Shitanda. He has a PhD in Process Engineering.

AlsProf Bernard Moirongo, who served as Deputy VC (Finance) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is also in the race.

Another candidate, Prof Elijah Omwenga holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Nairobi in the area of Information Systems.

Prof Omwenga is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) at the University of Kabianga.

He is a Full Professor of Computing science and an accomplished scholar, ardent researcher and a thought leader in ICT in this era of education 4.0 for higher learning institutions.

Prof Constantine Matoke Nyamboga has a bias in Information systems and Knowledge management. He is a holder of a Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science.

In his secondment to Kisii University (2009 -2012), was appointed as the founding Dean for the School of information sciences and Technology. Prior to joining Lukenya University as the current Vice Chancellor, he was the founding principal of Mount Kenya University, Kisii Campus .

Prof Julius Ochuodho is Professor of Agriculture, specialising in (Plant Sciences) Seed science and plant pathology.

According to a gazette notice by PSC, the 10 candidates will appear for interviews on June 19.