By Jameson Mutua
Students at the University of Nairobi have declared Professor Duke Omondi Orata as the best candidate to take over as Vice Chancellor, following the withdrawal of the top-ranked contender in the recently concluded recruitment process.
Speaking during a media briefing at the university, student leaders said the Public Service Commission had earlier conducted a thorough and legitimate interview process that vetted three candidates: Professor Bitange Ndemo, Professor Orata, and Professor Francis Mulaa.
According to the students, Professor Ndemo emerged top in the interviews but later withdrew from the race, leaving Professor Orata, who was ranked second, and Professor Mulaa.
The students argued that Professor Orata automatically became the most suitable candidate after the withdrawal, insisting that he should be appointed Vice Chancellor without the process being reopened.
They criticised the Public Service Commission for issuing a fresh notice declaring the position vacant and inviting new applicants, saying the move disregards the outcome of the initial vetting exercise.
“Professor Orata is the best candidate available and is fully qualified to lead the university,” the students said, adding that reopening the recruitment process would undermine credibility and fairness.
The students warned that failure to appoint Professor Orata could trigger unrest at the institution.
The Public Service Commission and university management had not responded to the students’ claims at the time of publication.
In the last two years, the institution has cycled through multiple acting VCs, raising questions about succession planning, governance, and political interference.
