Rethink hiring of top staff in public varsities to avert chaotic process

The looming controversy stoked by nullification of the appointment of the University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor is just a tip of the iceberg of challenges public universities face in the hiring process. Before the new law, the Education Cabinet Secretary called the shots in the hiring of top staff in universities.

Under the new law, recruitment of VCS and DVCs is carried out by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in line with the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Act, 2018 which took the critical function from the Cabinet Secretary. The new law also requires chancellors of all public universities to be vetted by PSC, which then recommends them to the President for appointment.