Proposed Universities Bill to End PSC Powers of Appointing Vice Chancellors.
The Universities (Amendment) Bill (No. 16) of 2024, sponsored by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, proposes removing the Public Service Commission (PSC) from the process of appointing public university chancellors.
Currently, the process requires candidates to be shortlisted and ranked by the PSC before submission to the President.
Baya argued this complicated process has left 26 public universities without chancellors. The proposed amendment allows the university Senate to directly forward three suitable candidates to the President for selection within 90 days.
The committee, led by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, noted that chancellors’ roles do not involve public service functions, making PSC involvement unnecessary.
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The recruitment of Vice Chancellors (VCs) and Deputy Vice Chancellors (DVCs) is currently overseen by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The commission advertises the positions, conducts interviews, and shortlists the top three candidates.
Following the PSC’s shortlisting process, the university council reviews the recommendations and selects a suitable candidate for the role of VC, DVC, or university principal.
As stipulated in the Universities Act, 2012, the Cabinet Secretary for Education holds the ultimate responsibility for appointing individuals to these leadership roles.
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Vice Chancellors serve an initial term of five years. Based on their performance, they may be reappointed for a second and final term.
Proposed Universities Bill to End PSC Powers of Appointing Vice Chancellors
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