University of Nairobi: Margaret Hutchinson takes over as Vice Chancellor

By Peter Ochieng

Professor Margret Jesang Hutchinson has officially assumed her role as the acting Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi (UoN). She landed the appointment on Friday last week, on the backdrop of the suspension of Professor Stephen Kiami Gitahi.

“The Council of the University of Nairobi led by its Chair Prof. Amukowa Anangwe today witnessed the taking over of office by the Ag. Vice Chancellor Prof. Margret Hutchinson,” the University said in a statement on Monday.

Hutchinson is a horticulturalist and senior lecturer at the university of Nairobi with over 30 years of experience in the agriculture sector.

According to fsnetafrica.com, the new VC obtained her PhD in Horticulture from the University of Guelph in Canada.

Her research and outreach work cover most areas of horticulture and, more specifically, floriculture, looking at policy, programming, and the entire value chain of several commodities.

She is a member of several professional bodies, such as the African Crop Science Society, Horticultural Association of Kenya, Kenya Professional Association of Women in Agriculture and Environment, the Agricultural Society of Kenya, and the Institute of Directors.

Besides her appointment, the University of Nairobi Council has made several changes in the management. Prof. Ayub Gitau, former Dean Faculty of Engineering has been appointed as Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs.

Prof. Francis Mulaa, Former Associate Dean Faculty of Science and Technology takes over the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Innovation and Enterprise in acting capacity.

Professor Kiama was appointed VC in 2020, taking over from Peter Mbithi for a five-year term which was to end in 2025.

Prior to his appointment as Vice Chancellor, he served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Human Resource and Administration and the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor In-charge of Finance, Planning and Development.

He was also Principal College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences from 2016 to 2019, Director of Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies from 2010 to 2016, Chairman of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology from 2005—2010, Acting dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine from 2003-2010.