The Management University of Africa (MUA) has appointed former Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. Jacob Thuranira Kaimenyi as its second chancellor, marking a new chapter in the institution’s leadership.
The university announced the appointment in a statement, saying it was approved by its Board of Trustees.
Kaimenyi takes over from Dr Arch. Reuben Musyoka Mutiso, who served as the institution’s founding chancellor for 14 years.
MUA said it was confident that Kaimenyi’s extensive experience in academia, public service and diplomacy would support the university’s future growth.
Kaimenyi’s academic and professional background
Born on July 10, 1952, Kaimenyi trained as a dentist and earned a doctorate in periodontology from the University of Nairobi. Periodontology is the branch of dentistry concerned with the tissues supporting the teeth and diseases affecting them.
In 2003, he obtained a Master of Business Administration in strategic management from the same university.
His academic career at the University of Nairobi ran from 1998 to 2013. During this period, he rose through the ranks to become Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs.
Kaimenyi also served on the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board and chaired the boards of Meru School, Mulathankari Girls and Nkabune Technical Training Institute. He was president of the Commonwealth Dental Association and served as a trustee of Regina Pacis University College, which is affiliated with the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
From Cabinet to diplomatic service
Kaimenyi joined the Cabinet in 2013 after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party won the general election. He was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Education, Science and Technology, a position he held until 2015.
During his tenure, he oversaw aspects of the implementation of the Basic Education Act 2013, which introduced student representation on school boards of management. His time in office also saw changes to the criteria used for university lecturer appointments and promotions.
Also Read: African Education Experts Urge Governments to Improve School Funding Efficiency
In December 2014, Kaimenyi signed the appointment letter for Peter Mbithi as University of Nairobi vice-chancellor, succeeding Prof. George Magoha, who had held the position for a decade.
He later served as Cabinet Secretary for Land, Housing and Urban Development before being appointed Kenya’s ambassador to Belgium.
Since 2018, Kaimenyi has authored five books covering career development, marriage, family life and retirement.
MUA congratulated the new chancellor, describing his contribution to academia and national service as widely recognised. The institution said it looked forward to drawing on his experience as it enters its next phase.
