Moi University, a key institution of higher learning in Kenya, has made significant leadership changes with the appointment of Professor Kiplagat Kotut as the new Vice Chancellor, following the sending of Professor Isaac Sanga Kosgey on an eight-month leave. The announcement, made on January 31, 2025, marks a major shift in the university’s administration, which has been grappling with various challenges in recent years, including financial difficulties and management concerns.
Professor Kotut, who previously served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration at Embu University, is expected to bring stability and a renewed focus to Moi University during this transitional period. His appointment, effective from January 31, 2025, was part of broader changes announced by the newly appointed Moi University Council Chairperson, Professor Noah Midamba, in the presence of the Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Beatrice Inyangala.
The leadership shake-up does not stop with the vice chancellor. Moi University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Research and Extension and Students Affairs, Isaac Njuguna Kimengi, has been placed on a one-year sabbatical leave. In his place, Professor Khaemba Ongeti, who was serving as the Dean of Students, will step into the role. Similarly, Professor Eng. Kirimi H. Kiriamiti, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration, Planning, and Strategy, has been sent on sabbatical leave, further signaling the extent of the changes.
The appointments come in the wake of a difficult period for Moi University, which has faced significant financial constraints and management issues. These challenges have hindered the university’s ability to maintain its status among Kenya’s leading institutions. With the appointment of new leadership, the council aims to restore Moi University to its former glory and ensure that it can thrive in a competitive higher education landscape.
In a statement, Professor Midamba emphasized that the new leadership was appointed after a thorough selection process, ensuring that individuals with the necessary credentials and experience were chosen to lead Moi University during this critical period. The changes were made effective immediately, with the hope that the new management team will address the university’s financial and administrative challenges.
The leadership shift at Moi University also comes amid promises from President William Ruto to address the university’s troubles. During a recent tour of the North Rift, Ruto pledged that the government would provide adequate resources and an efficient management team to turn around the institution’s fortunes. The President’s commitment to supporting Moi University signals a concerted effort to revitalize the university and ensure it can continue to provide quality education for Kenyan students.
