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 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 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.