Professor Waceke Wanjohi, the suspended Deputy Vice Chancellor at Kenyatta University (KU), has filed a petition at the Nairobi Employment and Labour Relations Court contesting the appointment of Professor John Okumu as the new KU Vice Chancellor.
In a petition dated July 27, 2026, submitted through her lawyer Chris Mutuku, Prof Wanjohi alleges that Prof Okumu’s appointment was unlawful, improper, and unconstitutional. She is requesting the court to annul the KU Council’s decision and declare the VC position vacant.
Her application states:
- "A declaration that the appointment of the 5th respondent (Prof John Okumu) as Vice Chancellor was unmerited, improper, illegal and contrary to the law."
Prof Wanjohi further challenges her own suspension from KU duties, which was communicated in a letter dated July 27, 2026. She describes the suspension as malicious and seeks its nullification along with any related decisions affecting her role as Deputy VC for Academics.
- She requests the court to declare her suspension "irregular, unprocedural, unlawful and improper, accentuated by malice, ill-will and vendetta."
Additionally, Prof Wanjohi wants to revoke a letter that removed her as a Trustee of the KU Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme and any other actions interfering with that appointment.
The petition also challenges a KU Council notice requiring her to show cause for alleged breaches under Chapter 6, which could lead to dismissal.
Of significant note, Prof Wanjohi is seeking an order compelling the KU Council to appoint her as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University.
The case is before Justice Jacob Gakeri, who on July 31, 2026, allowed the respondents—including the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Attorney General, Public Service Commission, and KU Council—to respond within 14 days. Parties have 14 days to exchange submissions, with the matter set for mention on October 5, 2026, to schedule a judgment date.
