Prof Kiama is currently serving as the Vice Chancellor of the oldest and biggest University in Kenya, the University of Nairobi. Previously he served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Human Resource and Administration, Principal, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Director of Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Chairman of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology.
Prof Kiama is an accomplished scholar with a good track record in formulating and managing academic programs and supervising and mentoring Masters and PhD students. He has a cumulative 30 years of research and teaching experience at various institutions including University of Nairobi, St. Andrews University in Scotland, Free University of Berlin, Germany, University of Bern, Switzerland, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa and University of Ghana.

Prof. Kiama has a unique experience of maintaining a vibrant research career marked by high quality publications and success in grant awards; an excellent record of visionary leadership marked by his success in various positions he has held at the University as well as a strong commitment to mentorship of undergraduate, post-graduate and faculty staff.