In a bold move that's shaking up Kenya's higher education scene, Dr. Ben Chumo has officially stepped down as the Chair of the Kenyatta University Council, driven by a profound commitment to upholding trust and fairness in leadership. If you've ever wondered what happens when internal politics clash with professional integrity at a top university, this story is a must-read—it's got drama, denials, and a whole lot of implications for how our institutions are run.
Dr. Ben Chumo, the respected outgoing chair, has personally verified that he handed in his resignation letter on Monday to Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Julius Ogamba. For those new to university governance, the Council is like the board of directors for a university—it oversees major decisions, including hiring key leaders like the Vice-Chancellor, to ensure everything runs smoothly and ethically.
Whispers from inside the university suggested that pressure from the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) might have forced his hand. But Dr. Chumo isn't having any of that. He firmly rejected the idea, emphasizing that the union had zero influence on his choice to leave. 'Let me set the record straight,' he shared with The Star in an exclusive interview. 'I've dealt with much tougher challenges while steering massive organizations, so union pushback isn't what prompted this. It's all about sticking to my principles. If the Ministry of Education doesn't trust my leadership, they need to bring in someone who does for this critical task.'
He went further, hinting that some folks might be manipulating the union to spin a story that doesn't match reality. 'It seems like the union's comments are downplaying a vital procedure and positioning themselves as the key players,' Dr. Chumo explained. 'Clearly, someone's leveraging the union to point fingers and claim credit for my exit. Throughout my career, I've collaborated closely with unions—take my time at the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), where I oversaw more than 30,000 workers amid a powerhouse union. Not once has a union ever driven me out of a role.' This perspective adds a layer of intrigue: is the union being used as a pawn, or do they genuinely have a stake? But here's where it gets controversial... does involving staff unions in high-level hires strengthen democracy or just muddy the waters?
Dr. Chumo pointed to a pivotal moment last week when high-ranking government officials called him, directing him to join a specific council meeting. He saw this as a red flag of doubt from the Ministry of Education. To break it down for beginners, normally, the ministry supports university councils by agreeing on decisions from afar, without showing up in person. When a senior ministry rep attends a meeting, it's like sending a message that the council—and especially its chair—can't be fully trusted. 'That kind of involvement makes the council's role pointless,' Dr. Chumo noted. 'I've recruited plenty of CEOs in my career, so I know these dynamics inside out. Stepping in like that compromises the entire setup. I'm not pointing fingers at individuals; I'm standing against a flawed system.'
At the heart of it all, Dr. Chumo stressed the need to protect the recruitment process's honesty. 'The real problem is tampering with how things are done,' he said. 'If the foundation is shaky from the start, the results will be too. The ministry's presence in our meeting room set off alarm bells right away, which is exactly why I decided to bow out.' Imagine building a house on sand— that's the risk here, and it's why processes like this are so crucial for fair outcomes in any organization, from universities to corporations.
Earlier, KUSU had voiced frustrations over what they called hold-ups in selecting a permanent Vice-Chancellor. Dr. Chumo pushed back, insisting there were no real delays. 'The current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paul Wainaina, is set to retire by the end of January 2026, so we've got ample time,' he clarified. 'Ideally, we'd have a seamless handover, but rushing could lead to mistakes. No need to force it.' And this is the part most people miss: while urgency feels important, a deliberate pace often yields better leaders in the long run.
His departure timed just before a major council session meant to hash out hiring standards for the new Vice-Chancellor, a role vital for the university's future direction. The whole recruitment saga has grabbed headlines repeatedly. Just last Monday, November 17, Lawrence Omondi Chero filed a petition in the Employment and Labour Relations Court to stop Prof. Wainaina from meddling in his own replacement's selection. The claim? That as his tenure winds down, the Vice-Chancellor is trying to sway the criteria, which could taint the fairness. Dr. Chumo has long maintained that hiring the Vice-Chancellor is the domain of the Public Service Commission and the Council, not the outgoing leader's office—keeping it impartial, much like how boards hire executives without the current CEO picking their successor.
Prof. Wainaina, in turn, sued over the job ad, saying it ignored court rulings and his contract. Adding to the tension, on November 11, 2025, KUSU's branch secretary Isaac P. Lokeris wrote to Dr. Chumo, blasting him for ignoring union letters and withholding recruitment updates. They labeled it a pattern of poor communication and reluctance to dialogue. Dr. Chumo fired back that the union has no official say in the matter. 'To be clear, the union is totally outside this loop,' he asserted. 'As an HR expert, I know unions represent staff, but they don't get to choose the top boss. That's standard in any setup—unions handle employee issues, not CEO hires. The university follows the same rule.'
Insiders reveal Dr. Chumo quit right before the council gathered to finalize those hiring guidelines. The group plans to press on, wrapping up the criteria, sifting through applications, and sending picks to the right authorities. Union leaders cheered the news, seeing it as an opening for better flow in the transition. KUSU reaffirmed their dedication to solid governance and a timely, rule-following hire per Senate guidelines.
Looking back fondly, Dr. Chumo celebrated his council's successes. 'I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished,' he reflected. 'During my watch, Kenyatta University topped the rankings as Kenya's best for two years straight, surpassing even the University of Nairobi. This year, we welcomed more than 10,000 new students, pushing our total enrollment past 72,000—the biggest in the nation. We also elevated the most professors and staff ever, because investing in people is key to a thriving institution. These aren't just claims; they're proven results. I've never been one to underperform—delivery is my hallmark.'
This tale of resignation amid recruitment woes raises big questions: Should ministries stay hands-off in university affairs to preserve independence, or is oversight necessary to prevent insider biases? And what about the union's voice—empowering or overreaching? I'd love to hear your take: Do you side with Dr. Chumo's principled stand, or do you think external pressures like unions are essential for accountability? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let's spark a conversation!
