Professor John Okumu is the newly appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University. He is taking over from Prof Paul Wainaina, who completed an eight-year term.
He has spent over three decades at Kenyatta University, rising through the ranks from Tutorial Fellow to Professor of Physics, and serving ten years as Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs.
He joined Kenyatta University in 1983 to pursue a Bachelor of Education (Science) degree, specializing in Physics, Mathematics, and Education, where he graduated in 1986.
To advance his knowledge in physics, he enrolled at Kenyatta University in 1986 to study for a Master of Science in Condensed Matter Physics, completing it in 1988.
In 1992, he enrolled at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, to pursue a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics, which he completed in 1996, gaining advanced expertise in research and condensed matter theory.
Okumu’s Career Background
He has built a career as a lecturer at Kenyatta University for over 30 years, rising through the ranks. He started his career as a Tutorial Fellow in 1988 and was promoted to Lecturer in 1992.
Okumu became a Senior Lecturer in 1999, an Associate Professor in 2004, and a Professor of Physics in 2020. His academic contributions include teaching, mentoring postgraduate students, and publishing research in high-impact journals.
Apart from teaching and research, Okumu has held several key leadership and editorial roles. He served multiple terms as Acting Dean of the School of Pure and Applied Sciences in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2010, where he coordinated academic programs and faculty governance.
From 2003 to 2004, he served as Deputy Director of Self-Sponsored Programs, overseeing strategies to expand the university’s academic reach.
Okumu contributed to scientific publishing as Deputy Editor of the East African Journal of Science from 2004 to 2007, and later as Editor-in-Chief of the East African Journal of Physical Sciences from 2007 to 2010, promoting research dissemination in the region.
In 2010, Okumu was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) at Kenyatta University, a position he held for ten years.
In this capacity, he oversaw curriculum development, academic policy, research coordination, and quality assurance across all faculties
Role as acting Vice-Chancellor
As Acting VC, he will be responsible for: providing leadership, academic, and administrative support to the whole University.
He will as well secure a financial base sufficient to allow the delivery of the University’s mission, aims, and objectives.
Prof. Okumu will also carry out certain important ceremonial and civic duties. He will have overall responsibility for the direction, organization, administration, and programmes of the University.
