The High Court has temporarily stopped Kenyatta University from appointing a new Vice Chancellor, throwing a controversial recruitment process into sharp focus.

Justice Njoki Mwangi issued the orders following an application by Professor Waceke Wanjohi, the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), effectively freezing any move to fill the top post until the case is heard.

The judge ruled that the orders will act as an interim injunction, barring the appointment of any candidate other than Wanjohi pending the determination of the dispute.

Wanjohi has moved to court, suing the Education Cabinet Secretary, the Public Service Commission, the Attorney General and the university council over the handling of interviews conducted in March 2026.

In court documents, she claims she emerged the top candidate but accuses authorities of failing to act on the interview panel’s recommendations or release the official results, including candidates’ scores.

She further alleges that instead of finalising her appointment, the university council and the Public Service Commission have initiated disciplinary proceedings against her, actions she argues are aimed at derailing her bid for the position.

In her application, Wanjohi is seeking court orders to compel the Education CS to implement the panel’s recommendations and publish the recruitment results. She also wants the court to block the appointment of any other candidate and halt all disciplinary action against her.

Additionally, she is asking the court to quash a decision contained in a letter dated April 16, 2026, which allegedly authorized disciplinary proceedings.

Justice Mwangi also suspended any ongoing disciplinary action against Wanjohi until the case is determined.

The court has directed Wanjohi to file and serve the main application within 14 days from April 23, 2026, with the matter set for mention on May 20, 2026.

In her filings, Wanjohi argues that the actions against her violate her constitutional right to a fair hearing, warning that if the position is filled before the case is concluded, the entire dispute could be rendered meaningless.