VC with nine lives as Prof Paul Wainaina returns to KU

(Centre) Profffesor Paul Wainaina accompanied by Kenyatta University (KU) students and non teaching staff after the Employment and Labour Court issued orders reinstating him as the Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor on April 30, 2025 at the university grounds.[Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

He has been sacked, reinstated, sidelined, replaced in meetings, and advertised out of office—but every time, Prof Paul Wainaina bounces back. 

At 74, the embattled Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University (KU) has once again beaten back an attempt to remove him, deepening his reputation as the university boss with more lives than a cat.

In the latest conflict, the Employment and Labour Relations Court reinstated Wainaina on Wednesday as KU Vice Chancellor after being out in the cold for over a year.