Professor Margaret Hutchinson has been appointed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nairobi following the suspension of Professor Stephen Kiama Gitahi.
Her transition was facilitated by the University of Nairobi Council, chaired by Professor Amukowa Anangwe, on Monday, August 5, 2024.
In addition to Hutchinson’s appointment, the Council announced other key changes. Professor Ayub Gitau, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, has been named Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs. Meanwhile, Professor Francis Mulaa, the former Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, will serve as the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Enterprise.
“The University of Nairobi Council has made the following changes in management. Professor Ayub Gitau, former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, has been appointed Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs. Professor Francis Mulaa, former Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, takes over as Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Enterprise,” the University announced.
The suspension of Vice-Chancellor Professor Kiama is effective immediately for a period of three months, pending investigations into allegations of misconduct and insubordination. The Council is also taking disciplinary actions related to these matters.
Professor Hutchinson, a horticulturist and senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi, brings over 30 years of experience in the agriculture sector to her new role. She holds a PhD in Horticulture from the University of Guelph in Canada, as well as an MSc in Agronomy and a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi.
Her research and outreach work cover various aspects of horticulture, particularly floriculture, including policy development, programming, and the entire value chain of multiple commodities.
Hutchinson’s contributions include developing tissue culture protocols for economically important floriculture and fruit crops, optimizing agronomic and pest control practices for fruits, vegetables, and flower crops, and reducing postharvest losses. She has also emphasized gender mainstreaming in policy and programming and has widely published her work in refereed journals and conferences.
