The Vice Chancellor

Professor Stephen Kiama Gitahi is the 8th Vice-Chancellor, University of Nairobi. He holds a doctorate degree in Structural Biology from the University of Bern, Switzerland under the mentorship of Professor Peter Gehr . His PhD marked a culmination of a long journey of sustained personal illumination driven by an abiding curiosity to broaden the horizons of knowledge.

As Professor Kiama pursued his scholarly and teaching roles, leadership duties seemed to beckon at every turn. It is in delivering these tasks that he garnered broad hands-on skills, practical knowledge and fundamental proficiencies in key structural, legislative and regulatory frameworks crucial to the effective management of institutions of higher learning. In the fullness of time, he has accumulated a vast wealth of administrative experience, honed his skills in management of people and programmes for set outputs, cut his teeth in leadership and distinguished himself as a capable leader. His progressive rise in leadership roles where he has served in senior management positions at the University of Nairobi over the past 17 years speak to this fact.

Prior his appointment as the 8th Vice Chancellor of University of Nairobi, Professor Kiama served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Human Resource and Administration and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in-charge of Finance, Planning and Development. Professor Kiama has also served in several administrative positions in the University. These are:

Principal, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences (2016 to February 2019)
Acting Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (2014)
Founding Director of Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies (2010 to 2016)
Chairman of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology (2005 to 2010) and,
Associate Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (2003 to 2010)
He has served as a member of the University of Nairobi Senate since 2003 thereby gaining vast experience in directing and supervising academic programmes.

According to The Universities Act 2012, The Chancellor:

Shall be the titular head of the University and shall, in the name of the University, confer degrees and grant diplomas, certificates and other awards of the University;

May from time to time, recommend to the Cabinet Secretary in the case of a public university and the Board of Trustees in the case of a private university, a visitation of the University;

May from time to time give advice to the Council which then Chancellor considers necessary for the betterment of the University;

Shall enjoy powers and privileges and perform such other functions as may be provided in the Charter.