Women torchbearers in education

Their appointments marked a great milestone in achieving equality for women and ensuring affirmative action in gender sensitisation in the education sector, writes ALLAN OLINGO.

Prof Mabel Imbuga, Vice Chancellor, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)

Prof Mabel says her job is rewarding, but comes with many challenges.

"When you take up such a role, people have a lot of expectations. My Master of Business Management degree has sharpened my management skills. I also know that my counterpart at Kenyatta University, Prof Olive Mugenda, has taken up this role very well," she says

Prof Mabel Imbuga

"Traditionally, most men find it difficult to take orders from women, but I am glad I have their support in executing my role," Prof Imbuga adds.

"It’s all about the skills and I am happy with the support from the senior management levels, my staff and the student community. A woman is seen as a holding factor in the society and that is the role I play in this institution," she says.

At JKUAT, about 40 per cent of the women are in management positions, a feat Prof Imbuga says has been achieved through encouraging the women to access positions through merit.

A professor of biochemistry, Prof Imbuga has a long-standing record of administrative leadership positions in JKUAT.

She says: "I owe it all to my husband, Prof Francis Imbuga, who always encouraged me to go for all these positions, including this one."

Prof Imbuga says she would like to see more women in management and leadership positions.

Prof Olive Mugenda, Vice Chancellor, Kenyatta University

Prof Olive Mugenda

Prof Mugenda’s administrative leadership exemplifies women leadership. During her regime, Kenyatta University has not only scooped various high profile achievements, including the coveted ISO quality certification for its excellence in accountability and operations, but also earned recognition as the best performing State corporation in the 2006/07 Performance Contract Evaluation.

Her research on Improving the Performance of Girls in Science and Mathematics in Secondary Schools serves as a model project on her passion for girls. This project was nominated for a Commonwealth Education award.

Prof Monica Mweseli, Vice Chancellor, Kiriri Women’s University

Prof Monica Mweseli

Prof Mweseli heads the only university in Kenya that caters for women and focuses on developing the capacity of female students in sciences and technology.

Prof Frieda Brown, Vice Chancellor, United States International University (USIU)

Prof Frieda Brown joined United States International University (USIU) in 1994 and has spearheaded major achievements at the university, including accreditation through the awarding of the Kenyan Charter. USIU now enjoys dual accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, USA, and the Government of Kenya.

In 2008, USIU, under Prof Brown, trained about 1,000 businesswomen in business leadership under a programme managed by Columbia Business School, USA.

Prof Frieda Brown

Prof Leah Marangu, Vice Chancellor, Africa Nazarene University

Prof Leah Marangu was appointed Africa Nazarene University Vice Chancellor in 1996.

While teaching at the Kenyatta University, Prof Marangu enabled many female students, including Prof Olive Mugenda, the current Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University, to pursue higher degrees at Iowa State University in USA.