President William Ruto has appointed Professor Isaac Muthure Macharia as the new Chancellor of Karatina University. The appointment was announced through a gazette notice dated April 11, 2025, and will see Prof Macharia serve in the role for the next five years.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 38 (1)(a) of the Universities Act, 2012, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Isaac Muthure Macharia (Prof.) to be the Chancellor of Karatina University for a period of five years, with effect from the 11th April 2025,” the notice reads.
Prof Macharia is currently the chairman of Equity Group Holdings, a position he assumed in 2020 following the retirement of David Ansell. He previously joined the Equity Bank Kenya Board in 2015 and rose to become its chair in 2017.
An accomplished academic and medical expert, Prof Macharia is a professor of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Nairobi. He has built a distinguished career in the medical field, having held leadership positions in international professional organisations and offered consultancy services to the World Health Organization in his area of expertise.
During his tenure as chair of Equity Bank Kenya, Prof Macharia played a crucial role in the restructuring of the bank into a subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings. His leadership enabled the bank to maintain strong financial performance despite challenges posed by the capping of interest rates in 2016 by the Central Bank of Kenya. He championed innovation and the adoption of technology to enhance customer service and operational efficiency.
As Chancellor of Karatina University, Prof Macharia is expected to bring a wealth of experience in governance, strategy, and institutional growth. Though largely ceremonial in nature, the chancellorship plays a key role in shaping the vision of the university.
His appointment underscores President Ruto’s commitment to strengthening leadership in higher education institutions by involving professionals with proven track records in public and private sectors.
