The High Court has temporarily halted the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor at Kenyatta University following a legal dispute over the recruitment process.
The order was issued by Justice Njoki Mwangi after an urgent application by Professor Waceke Wanjohi, the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who is challenging the outcome of interviews conducted in March 2026.
The court directed that the leave granted in the matter will also operate as a temporary injunction, stopping the respondents from proceeding with any appointment to the Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University position until the case is heard and determined.
“The leave hereby granted shall operate as a temporary injunction barring the respondents from filling the position of Vice Chancellor, Kenyatta University, or appointing any other person other than the applicant,” Justice Mwangi ruled.
Professor Wanjohi has filed judicial review proceedings against the Cabinet Secretary for Education, the Public Service Commission, the Attorney General, and the university council, accusing them of irregularities in the recruitment exercise. She claims she was the top-ranked candidate in the interviews held in March 2026, but says the authorities have failed to act on the panel’s recommendation or release the official results.
“The interviewing panel recommended the appointment of the Applicant as Vice Chancellor… but she is unaware of any steps taken by the respondents to implement that recommendation,” court documents filed by Wanjohi state.
Instead, she alleges that disciplinary proceedings were later initiated against her, which she argues are intended to frustrate her candidacy and influence the outcome of the process. Wanjohi is seeking orders compelling the Education Cabinet Secretary to release the interview results and implement the panel’s recommendation. She is also asking the court to stop any alternative appointment and quash the disciplinary proceedings against her.
Justice Mwangi further ordered that all disciplinary action against her be suspended pending determination of the case. Wanjohi argues that the actions taken against her violate her right to a fair hearing under Article 50 of the Constitution. She warns that unless the court intervenes, the dispute risks being rendered meaningless if the position is filled.
The court has directed that Wanjohi file and serve her substantive motion within 14 days, with the matter set for mention on May 20, 2026
