Women continue to make significant strides in Kenya’s higher education sector, with several universities now operating under the leadership of female professors.
A growing number of women professors are breaking the glass ceiling and taking charge of some of the country’s leading institutions.
From public universities to private institutions, these women have risen through the ranks of academia, research and university management to become vice-chancellors. They now oversee academic programmes, research, governance and the day-to-day running of their institutions.
The growing number of women serving as vice-chancellors today follows decades of gradual progress in Kenya’s higher education sector, where university leadership was traditionally dominated by men.
Leah Marangu made history in 1996 when she became the first Kenyan woman to be appointed vice-chancellor of Africa Nazarene University, just two years after the institution’s establishment.
A decade later, Olive Mugenda became the first woman to head a public university after she was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University in 2006. She served until 2016 and is credited with overseeing major expansion of the university’s infrastructure, academic programmes and research.
Mabel Imbuga also made history as the first woman to serve as Vice-Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
More recently, Margaret Jesang’ Hutchinson became the first woman to serve as Acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Nairobi. She held the position from 2024 until the appointment of Prof. Ayub Gitau as the substantive vice-chancellor in May 2026.
Below are some of the women professors currently serving as vice-chancellors in Kenyan universities.
Prof. Emily Akuno – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
Emily Akuno has served as the Vice-Chancellor of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology since September 2023, when she succeeded Prof. Stephen Agong’, who led the institution for a decade after it received its charter in 2013.
The VC made history as the first woman to serve as Vice-Chancellor of JOOUST. Before her appointment, she was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the Cooperative University of Kenya, where she oversaw teaching, learning, quality assurance, curriculum development, student affairs and academic standards.
She holds a PhD from Kingston University in the United Kingdom, a Master of Music from Northwestern State University in the United States, and a Bachelor of Education (Arts) from Kenyatta University.
Prof. Akuno began her academic career as a Graduate Assistant before becoming a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and, later, Professor of Music. She also served as Director of the Centre for Creative and Cultural Industries at the Technical University of Kenya, where she established the centre and developed certificate and diploma programmes for the creative sector.
She previously served as President of the International Music Council, an organisation that promotes music and culture globally.
Prof. Akuno is the chairperson of the Music Education Research Group (MERG-Kenya), a professional association that supports research and informs policy and practice in music education.
Her research focuses on music education, cultural diversity, curriculum development and the creative industries. She has published extensively in local and international peer-reviewed journals on these subjects.
Akuno is also credited with helping transform the School of Music at Kenyatta University by expanding its academic programmes to include certificate, diploma, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees, creating new pathways for students pursuing careers in the creative industry as well as music education.
Prof. Joyce J. Agalo – Machakos University
Joyce J. Agalo was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Machakos University in July 2023, bringing more than 25 years of experience in higher education, research and instructional design.
Before her appointment, she served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, where she led initiatives including the introduction of a digital voting system for student elections, accreditation of academic programmes, establishment of the Career Services Department, Open and Distance Learning Directorate and TVET Directorate.
Prof. Agalo holds a Bachelor of Education from Kenyatta University, a Master of Librarianship in Media Technology from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and a PhD in Educational Communication and Technology from Moi University.
Prof. Agalo has also served as a Trustee of the Machakos Retirement Benefits Scheme for six years, the Founding Director of the Institute of Open and Distance Learning (IODL) at Moi University, and as a member of the National Open University Taskforce. She also served as a Senate representative on the inaugural Council of Rongo University.
She is a member of several professional bodies, including the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE), the Open and E-Learning Practitioners’ Association of Kenya (DOLPAK), and the African Network for Internationalization of Education (ANIE).
Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi – JKUAT
Victoria Wambui Ngumi has served as Vice-Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology since August 2018.
Before becoming vice-chancellor, she served as the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, a position she held from October 2014.
In 2005, she was appointed the founding Principal of JKUAT Karen Campus after serving as the founding Director of the Alternative Degree Programmes.
Prof. Ngumi holds a PhD in Plant Physiology from Clemson University in the United States, an MSc in Botany from Hiroshima University in Japan, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Nairobi and an Executive MBA from JKUAT.
In 2021, she received the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) in recognition of her service to the nation.
Prof. Laila Abubakar – Technical University of Mombasa
Laila Abubakar heads the Technical University of Mombasa.
Before joining university leadership, she worked as a researcher at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute before rising through the academic ranks at the University of Nairobi.
She has received several research grants and awards and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals.
Among her accolades are the University of Nairobi Dean’s Award for Scholarship and Research (2011/2012), first prize at the XII Molecular Parasitology Conference in the United States, the ICIPE Governing Council Research Award, and recognition by the National Council for Science and Technology for research dissemination.
She also served on the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms and chairs the Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa.
Dr. Halima Saado Abdillahi – Umma University
Halima Saado Abdillahi leads Umma University.
She holds a PhD in Ethnobotany from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and serves as a representative of private universities in national higher education forums.
In 2026, she was recognised among Kenya’s 50 Most Influential Women.
Prof. Peninah Aloo-Obudho – Maasai Mara University
Peninah Aloo-Obudho is the Vice-Chancellor of Maasai Mara University. She first assumed the role in an acting capacity in June 2023, succeeding Prof. Joseph S. Chacha, who had served as Acting Vice-Chancellor from January 19, 2022, to June 9, 2023.
Prof. Chacha was appointed to lead the university following the suspension of then Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mary Walingo in the wake of the “Mara Heist” controversy.
Before joining Maasai Mara University, Prof. Aloo-Obudho served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic, Research and Student Affairs at Karatina University.
A Professor of Fisheries Ecology, she has extensive experience in university leadership, academic management and institutional administration.
Prof. Corlis McGee – Africa Nazarene University
Corlis McGee has served as Interim Vice-Chancellor of Africa Nazarene University since December 2025.
She has more than 30 years of experience in higher education leadership, having served in academic and administrative positions in the United States and Europe, including as President of Eastern Nazarene College and Rector of European Nazarene College.
Prof. McGee holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee at Nashville and a Doctor of Arts in Economics from Middle Tennessee State University.
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