By Hope Barbra
Maseno University has appointed Prof. Erick O. Nyambedha to the position of Acting Vice-Chancellor.
In a message to staff and students, the Director of Public Relations, Dr. Owen McOnyangio, said Nyambedha takes over from Prof. Julius Nyabundi, who has completed his term.
“We heartily congratulate Prof. Nyambedha on his appointment and urge all staff and students to accord him full support so that the University continues to rise to greater heights as an institution of higher learning.
We express deep gratitude to Prof. Julius O. Nyabundi for the impeccable service he has rendered to Maseno University during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor,” he wrote.
Academic Leadership
Acting Vice-Chancellor: Appointed in February 2026 to oversee the university’s academic, financial, and strategic direction.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Previously served as the DVC for Academic and Student Affairs since February 2025.
Director Positions: Has held key roles as Director of Quality Assurance and Performance Management and Director of Student Affairs.
Research & Academic Background
Prof. Nyambedha is a Professor of Anthropology with over 20 years of experience at Maseno University. His work primarily focuses on social issues in Western Kenya, including:
Vulnerable Populations: Extensive research on orphans, widows, and the elderly in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Public Health: Leading research on COVID-19, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and vaccine acceptance.
Education: He earned his BA and MA from the University of Nairobi and a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
Professional Affiliations
He is an active member of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences (MKNAS).
He has consulted for major international organizations, including UNICEF, USAID, WHO, and DANIDA.
