Photo Caption: Prof. John Okumu, the newly installed seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University, addresses guests during his installation ceremony at the university’s Graduation Square in Nairobi on August 28, 2026.
NAIROBI, August 28, 2026 — Prof. John Okumu has pledged to strengthen academic excellence, financial sustainability, research, innovation and digital transformation at Kenyatta University (KU) as he assumed office as the institution’s seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor.
Speaking during his installation at the university’s Graduation Square on Friday, Prof. Okumu said his leadership would focus on positioning KU as a leading university in the region while improving the experience of students and staff and increasing the institution’s contribution to national and global development.
“I therefore accept this responsibility not as a stranger to the institution, but as a servant who knows its history, understands its strengths, appreciates its challenges and, above all, believes deeply in its possibilities,” Prof. Okumu said.
He said the university must respond to rapid technological changes, growing competition for students, talent and research funding, as well as increasing expectations for relevance, innovation, accountability and measurable impact.
Prof. Okumu said his transformation agenda would be anchored on strengthening academic programmes, expanding postgraduate education and research, promoting innovation and technology transfer, enhancing student and staff welfare, and improving institutional sustainability.
“The world around us is changing rapidly and technology is redefining education and work where Artificial Intelligence is transforming knowledge production,” he said, noting that leadership at the university required courage to embrace change, discipline in execution and a shared determination to position KU as a preferred university in the region and beyond.
On research and innovation, Prof. Okumu said KU would strengthen multidisciplinary research in areas including health, climate change, food security, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, manufacturing, education, governance and sustainable development.
He said the university would also deepen partnerships with government, industry, development agencies and international institutions to increase research opportunities, technology transfer, intellectual property protection and commercialisation.
The Vice-Chancellor further pledged to accelerate digital transformation, building on the university’s Digital School, online learning systems, digital evaluation, online applications, automated fee payment and digital library services.
“Digital transformation is no longer an optional undertaking but requirement to move beyond digitising existing processes to rethinking how the University operates,” Prof. Okumu said, adding that artificial intelligence, data analytics, automation and other emerging technologies would be harnessed to improve teaching, research, student services and institutional management.
On infrastructure, he said KU would modernise and expand its physical and technological facilities, including an ongoing 2,500-capacity affordable student hostel, while improving laboratories, lecture spaces, libraries, ICT infrastructure and staff workspaces.
Prof. Okumu also identified financial sustainability as a priority, saying university management would strengthen financial discipline, diversify revenue streams and improve efficiency in service delivery.
He pledged to improve staff welfare, professional development and career progression while strengthening holistic student support through academic advising, mentorship, career development, counselling, psychosocial support, financial guidance, disability inclusion and accommodation.
He said the university’s ultimate goal was to produce graduates capable of creating opportunities and addressing societal challenges.
“Our vision is to produce competent, ethical, innovative and resilient graduates who are not merely seeking employment, but are capable of creating opportunities, solving societal problems and contributing meaningfully to Kenya and the global community,” he said.
Prof. Okumu, a professor of physics and long-serving KU academic administrator, has risen through the university ranks from tutorial fellow and lecturer to senior leadership positions, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic.
His academic career includes a PhD in condensed matter physics from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, while his leadership experience spans academic administration, digital transformation, research, postgraduate supervision and institutional management.
He succeeds Prof. Paul Wainaina and said his administration would build on the achievements of previous Vice-Chancellors while working closely with the University Council, Senate, staff, students, alumni, government and strategic partners.
“I accept this responsibility with humility, determination and with great conviction that, working together, we can take Kenyatta University to greater heights of excellence, societal impact and distinction,” Prof. Okumu said.
