Professor Ayub Njoroge Gitau has begun his tenure as the University of Nairobi's ninth Vice-Chancellor with a promise to rebuild the institution's competitiveness, strengthen its financial base and lead through consultation as he charts a new course for Kenya's oldest public university.
Gitau was formally installed during a ceremony at Taifa Hall on Friday, officially taking over the leadership of the institution from Professor Stephen Kiama.
Addressing guests during the installation, the new Vice-Chancellor said his administration will focus on reinforcing the university's identity while ensuring it remains competitive across Kenya, the region and the international academic space.
"I commit to providing direction that will strengthen the University of Nairobi's institutional identity and continue to position the university competitively in the national, regional and international arena," he said.
Gitau said his early days in office had taught him that listening to different voices within the university is critical to effective leadership, adding that he intends to build an administration that values dialogue and participation.
"As I take on this role, one of the most valuable lessons I have learnt since assuming office as the Vice-Chancellor is the importance of active listening," Gitau said.
He also shared the vision that will guide his leadership, saying he wants the University of Nairobi to remain a place that nurtures future leaders while producing knowledge and innovations that create lasting change.
"To position UoN as the university that develops visionary leaders, advances transformative knowledge, and inspires innovations that shape the future of Kenya, Africa and the world," he said while outlining his aspirations for the institution.
During the ceremony, Gitau also paid tribute to his family, saying their unwavering support had shaped both his academic journey and career.
"Whatever I have become today rests firmly upon the foundation you so selflessly built," he said in a tribute to his family during the installation ceremony.
Speaking to journalists after the event, the Vice-Chancellor said shrinking government capitation continues to put pressure on public universities, making it necessary to strengthen alternative sources of funding.
He said the university will invest more effort in attracting research grants while also working closely with its alumni to generate additional income and support institutional development.
"The government capitation has been going down. We are involving our research base, grant attraction—this is our major area of revenue. We also have to diversify the use of our alumni," Gitau said.
His installation marks the start of a new leadership chapter at the University of Nairobi, with the institution expected to pursue financial stability, stronger research output and a renewed academic reputation under his stewardship.