President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed Maseno University Vice-Chancellor Prof Julius Nyabundi as the new chairperson of the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).
Prof. Nyabundi takes over from Prof John Osati who assumed the position in 2019 after his predecessor, George Magoha, was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Education
Nyabundi’s appointment was gazetted on Friday, July 7, with Nyabundi’s tenure commencing effectively Tuesday, July 5.
The new KNEC boss will serve in the capacity for a period of four years.
“In exercise of the powers conferred to me by section 5 (1) of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act, 2012, I, Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint— Julius Nyabudi as KNEC chair,” read the notice in part.
In his new role, Nyabundi will lead the preparation for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Grade Six examinations scheduled for November this year.
This Grade Six examination will be the first national examination for the candidates joining junior high school.
Nyabundi will work alongside David Njeng’ere who serves as the CEO following his appointment in 2021.
Prior to being appointed as KNEC chair, the scholar served as Maseno University’s Vice-Chancellor from 2016, a position he landed after working in various government agencies.
“Prof. Nyabundi is the immediate former Principal of Muranga University College and a former Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (A&F) at Maseno University. He had previously served as the Managing Director, of Chemelil Sugar Company.
“He is a renowned scholar who has published widely in refereed journals and has presented papers in local and international conferences. He earned his PhD from the University of California,” his profile on the Maseno University website reads.
His appointment to KNEC was credited to his passion for research. Nyabundi was conferred the Order of Grand Warrior(OGW) in 2005, by the late President Mwai Kibaki, in recognition of his contribution to the education sector.