Former Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor, Olive Mugenda, is one of the most accomplished women in the country having scaled the ladder of success over decades. From serving at the University Council to sitting in several boards in the country, she is possibly one of the yardsticks of measuring success.
Mugenda is the former Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University which has been at the centre of controversy recently that has pitted its management against President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jubilee administration.
The vicious land row has seen Mugenda's successor, Prof. Paul Wainaina, fired by the university council.
Mugenda was appointed Kenyatta University VC in 2006, becoming the first woman to lead a public university in the African Great Lakes area, and served in that position until March 20, 2016.
She, however, holds four powerful jobs which most Kenyans may not be aware of.
Board Chair KU Hospital
She is currently the chairperson board of directors at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), a leading national referral hospital.
JSC Member
After her retirement from Kenyatta University, President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated her to serve in the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) where she represents members of the public.
Board Chair, Housing Finance Group
She was appointed as non-executive chairperson of Housing Finance Group Plc, taking over from Dr Steve Omenge Mainda, who retired in 2020.
Eminent Persons for County Review Panel
She is among nine members who President Uhuru appointed to serve in the panel of Eminent Persons for the County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM).
The CPRM initiative is a multi-agency effort involving more than 20 state agencies, constitutional commissions and independent offices under the coordination of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Kenya Secretariat in partnership with the Council of Governors (CoG).
The other members are Archbishop Emeritus Eliud Wabukhala, Ambassador Rukia Ahmed Subow and Dr John Kakonge. Others are Dr Josephine Kulea, Dr Wanjiru Kamau, Dr Hassan Bashir, Pete Ondeng and Salesa Adano Abudo.
When she graduated with her first degree, she joined the staff at Kenyatta University in 1981 as a tutorial fellow.
She attended the University of Nairobi, graduating with a Bachelor of Education degree. She studied at Iowa State University, obtaining a Master of Science degree in Family Studies in 1983.
Her degree of Doctor of Philosophy PhD), in the same field, was awarded in 1988 from Iowa State University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute.
