Prof James Onyango appointed new CUE chairperson

Commission for University Education outgoing chairman Prof Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha. [File, Standard]

President William Ruto has appointed Prof James Onyango Owino as the new chairman of the Commission for University Education (CUE).

In a gazette notice dated August 15, 2025, the appointment made in line with Section 6 (1)(a) of the Universities Act, 2012 will see Prof Owino serve at the commission for a term of three years.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 (1)(a) of the Universities Act, 2012, I appoint James Onyango Owino (Prof) to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Commission for University Education for a period of three (3) years," the notice stated.

The appointment took effect on Friday, August 15.

Owino takes over from Prof Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha.

Professor Chacha, who has served as CUE chairman for the last 10 years, was appointed on July 25 as the chairman of the University of Nairobi council.

He was tasked with restoring order at the University of Nairobi after a series of leadership wrangles at the institution.

Chacha replaced Prof Amukowa Anangwe, who in May was barred from accessing the University of Nairobi offices after he, alongside three others was charged with abuse of office before the anti-corruption court.

However, Anangwe, on May 24 negotiated for a soft landing, opting to exit the institution through resignation.

The charges levelled against him and three others were then dropped.