What we know about Prof. Olive Mugenda, a successful professor from Kenyatta University is what we read, listen and hear from the talking heads in the mainstream media. But very few push for further information about her rose to success and her earlier quite and probably peaceful life before she revolutionalised KU into a high-tech facility of higher studies.
The following exclusive facts will give a glimpse of her untold lifestyle.
- Mugenda graduated at the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education
- She later joined Iowa State University where she obtained a degree in Masters of Science in Family Studies in 1983
- The first time for her to step in KU was in 1981 as a tutorial assistant
- She was given a scholarship to study at Iowa State University, USA, after obtaining a first class honors in her studies of Bachelor of Education at UON
- She studied thereafter a doctorate and a master’s degree at the US based university.
- She is the only woman who applied for the post of KU vice chancellor when it was advertised in 2006
- The managed to wittingly outfit her 3 male competitors at the VC interviews and appointed as the new VC of the then lowly KU
- She is the only woman to hold a post of a VC in the history of Kenya
- Her major mile stones at the KU includes setting up a pioneered high tech university facility in Kenya and initiating the construction of KU Referral Hospital of a 500 bed accommodation
- She sit at the board of directors at Nation Media Group
- She is the chairperson of the Council of Association of the Association of Commonwealth Universities
- She is married to Prof. BA. MA. MSc. PHD Abel Mugenda of University of Nairobi who are blessed with four children- Albert, Christopher, Lynda and Angela
- Angela and her both parents are all alumnus of Iowa State University
- She has been the VC of KU since 2006 approximating to 10 years as a female VC
By Simon Ingari