Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina has officially exited office after serving for ten years, a period he says was marked by pressure and interference during the previous administration.
Speaking during his farewell address attended by students, university management, council members and union representatives, Prof. Wainaina reflected on the challenges he faced despite steering the institution to become the top-ranked university in Kenya.
He attributed the university’s success to strong cooperation among departments, noting that teamwork played a key role in achieving academic excellence.
Prof. Wainaina recalled a 2019 incident when he was summoned to Harambee House and asked to surrender the university’s title deed.
He said he had no knowledge of the document, after which he was sent home and a new university council was constituted.
Prof. Wainaina also raised concerns over the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, which was built through a loan acquired by the institution but later placed under government control, limiting access for health sciences students.
He urged the incoming Vice-Chancellor and the University Council to ensure the hospital is returned to the university. He further noted that during his tenure, the university successfully reclaimed 410 acres of land out of the original 700 acres.
Student leaders from the Kenyatta University Students Union (KUSU) praised Prof. Wainaina’s leadership, citing improved relations between the university administration and student leadership during his term.
University Council Chairperson Prof. Clara Momanyi described Prof. Wainaina as a dedicated and principled leader, crediting him for guiding the institution to become one of the top universities in East Africa despite working under immense pressure.
