University of Nairobi Launches Professors’ Association to Strengthen Academic Leadership and Mentorship
The University of Nairobi launched the Professors’ Association to strengthen academic leadership, mentorship and national thought leadership. Unveiled at UoN Towers on 21 November 2025, the Association brings together over 70 senior scholars across disciplines.
The launch of the University of Nairobi Professors’ Association (UoNPA) marks a strategic step in positioning professors as active contributors to institutional governance, policy engagement and national development, while reinforcing a culture of excellence, integrity and service within the academic community.
Speaking during the ceremony, Association Chair Prof. Peter Wasamba described the launch as a defining moment in the University’s academic journey. “This is not merely a ceremonial occasion; it is a declaration of commitment to uphold integrity, champion excellence and mobilize our collective intellectual capital for national transformation,” he said.
He noted that the Association is grounded in the core values of scholarship, collegiality and ethical leadership at a time when higher education institutions are navigating complex global and local challenges. “As professors, we must move beyond personal achievement and focus on what we contribute to society, particularly through mentorship, thought leadership and service,” Prof. Wasamba added.
In a goodwill message, Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret J. Hutchinson described the Association as a strategic platform that connects academic wisdom to societal impact. “This initiative affirms that the professors of this University are fully engaged, fully committed and prepared to lead transformative change at institutional, national and global levels,” she said, noting their critical role in shaping future generations through mentorship, innovation and leadership.
Prof. Tabitha Kiriti Nganga, Chair of the Launch Committee and Principal Investigator of the Women in Leadership Program at the African Women Studies Centre, underscored mentorship as a central pillar of the Association. “Becoming a professor is not defined by qualifications alone. It is the result of years of scholarship, publication and mentorship. This launch is therefore a milestone not only for this institution, but also for Kenya as a whole,” she said.
She added that the legal registration of the Association provides a formal mandate to support early-career scholars, with particular focus on advancing women in academia. “Our students and young career women are looking to us for guidance. This Association exists to support, inspire and walk that journey with them,” she noted.
The Association was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Prof. Peter Mbithi, who commended the professors for establishing a platform that transcends disciplines and strengthens national development. “This body will enhance academic excellence while contributing meaningfully to Kenya’s intellectual and policy landscape,” he observed.
The Professors’ Association is guided by five strategic objectives:
- To champion excellence in teaching, research and mentorship;
- To engage in curriculum development, policy and governance processes through expert input;
- To promote inclusive and ethical professionalism by strengthening fairness and merit-based systems;
- To mobilize resources to support young academics and institutional growth; and
- To uphold integrity and independence through a non-political and non-partisan approach.
In advancing its mandate, the Association will host public lectures, interdisciplinary forums and policy dialogues to support evidence-based reforms and thought leadership. In his maiden address, Prof. Wasamba reaffirmed this commitment: “We choose courage over comfort, principle over privilege and legacy over expedience. We will mentor with compassion, research with rigour, teach with integrity and serve with humility.”
Reflecting on the University’s historic contribution to national leadership, Prof. Victor Murinde, Executive Director of the African Economic Research Consortium, described the institution as a lifeboat for the nation. “This University has produced scholars who later became Cabinet Ministers, Attorneys General and Governors of the Central Bank. A lifeboat does not merely rescue, it prepares leaders for the journey ahead,” he said.
The Association’s logo, unveiled during the launch reflects its vision and mission. The open book symbolizes knowledge, openness and collaboration, while the torch represents enlightenment through scholarship and thought leadership. Its circular shape signifies unity, inclusiveness and connection with society, while the cool blue colour conveys stability, calmness and intellectual clarity. “The knowledge generated by professors must be accessible to society,” Prof. Peter Muriu added.
The launch event was attended by senior academics, scholars and stakeholders in higher education, and was supported by University of Nairobi Enterprises and Services (UNES), GenAfrica Limited, the UoN Alumni Association, UASU UoN Chapter, Chuna SACCO and the United Kenya Club.
The Interim Committee Members of the Association include: Chair Prof. Peter Wasamba ( Professor of Literature), Organizing Secretary, Prof Winnie Mitullah, (Professor of Development Studies), Treasurer Prof. Tabitha Kiriti Nganga, (Professor of Economics ) Secretary, Prof. Julius Mwabora, (Professor of Physics) , and members Prof Fred Were (Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health) , Prof. Rayya Timmamy, (Professor of Kiswahili Studies), Prof. Jane Ambuko, (Professor of Horticulture), Prof. Peter Muriu, (Associate Professor of Economics) and Professor Anne Aseey, (Associate Professor of Education).
The establishment of the University of Nairobi Professors’ Association marks a new chapter in strengthening mentorship, advancing scholarly excellence and reinforcing the University’s role as a centre of intellectual leadership and national transformation.
