President William Ruto on Friday appointed Prof. Dr. Patrick Verkooijen as the new chancellor of the University of Nairobi (UoN).

According to a Gazette Notice shared on Friday, the Dutch professor will serve as the institution's chancellor for five years effective today, January 12, 2024.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 38 (1) (a) of the Universities Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint — PATRICK V. VERKOOIJEN (PROF.) to be the Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, for a period of five (5) years, with effect from January 12, 2024," the notice read in parts.

Verkooijen who is a distinguished environmentalist with years of experience and expertise takes after Dr Vijoo Rattansi who has served the university for 10 years.

"Prof Patrick V. Verkooijen succeeds Dr. Vijoo Rattansi, who served the University with dedication for 10 years," a statement by the institution reads in parts.

He holds a PhD from Wageningen University also holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Havard, a Master in Philosophy from the University of Amsterdam and an environmental degree from the University of Utrecht Applied Sciences.

Additionally, the professor is the founding CEO of the Global Center Adaptation (GCA) and previously served as the chair of the UoN Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies.

Before his stint at GCA, the professor served as the World Bank Group's special representative on climate change.

He has also served at Tufts University, USA, as the professor of Practice of Sustainable Development Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.