MEET OUR UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
Council is the University’s highest governing body, responsible for setting the general strategic direction of the University, for ensuring proper accountability and for the management of its finances, property and investments and the general business of the University. The Council approves the University’s key policies and plans pertinent to its three core functions: teaching, research and public service. In that connection, the Council makes sure that the University always maintains high standards in the three core areas just mentioned. To ensure that MUST really does this, the Council reviews its performance from time to time. It also appoints persons to various leadership positions in the University. The University Council is composed of the Chairperson and eight members. All the members other than the Vice Chancellor are drawn from outside the University.
PROF. JAMES IRERI KANYA, PhD
Chairperson
Prof. James Kanya holds a PhD in Plant Ecology from the University of Nairobi, a Master’s degree in Botany from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a Bachelor of Education (Science) from Kenyatta University. During his studies he attended academic courses in the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and Hasselt University of Belgium.
Prof. Kanya started as a career teacher at St. Paul’s High school, Embu from 1984 to 1994. In 1994 he joined the then Kenya Science Teachers College where he taught Biology Courses. In 2007 he joined University of Nairobi in the Department of Botany as a lecturer where he taught plant ecology courses and conducted extensive research on plant ecology and plant-animal interactions. While at the University, he was gradually promoted to the levels of a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and an Associate Professor of plant ecology and plant-animal interactions.
In addition to his research and academic responsibilities, he has provided consultancy services to various organizations such as the World Bank, The African Development Bank and the Kenya government on environmental issues. Prof. Kanya is also a Fellow of the Environmental Institute of Kenya. He has previously served as a member of several national boards of management, including the Chairmanship of Embu County Education Board.
MARTIN KINOTI
Member
Martin is an Animal Nutrition specialist and practitioner and holds a BSc. (Animal Production) from Egerton University and an MSc. (Applied Nutrition) from the University of Nairobi. He has also undertaken several practical training sessions in livestock nutrition and management in England, USA, Belgium and Israel and has been active in the regional livestock and animal feed sectors for the last 24 years. He has extensive public, NGO and private sector experience, having worked in government livestock extension services and donor funded agricultural projects before moving into the private sector 22 years ago. After 11 years with Unga Group where he rose to become Head of Technical Services, he founded Nutrimix Limited, a company specializing in the manufacture and distribution of feed supplements and additives, as well as offering consultancy services in the area of livestock feeding and management. Martin has, and continues to practice as a consultant in feed formulation and TMR for many feed millers and dairy farms respectively. He has also been active in applying proven scientific concepts in development of specialty products for the local livestock sector. Martin has undergone training in Finance for Non-Finance Managers, Pension Fund Trusteeship, Change Management, Corporate Governance and is also a member of the Technical Committee on Animal Feeds at Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Secretary General of the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA).
JANNET OMINDE ATIKA
Member
Jannet has a cumulative 28 years work experience attained in commercial fields specifically cutting across Sales, Marketing, Public Relations and Customer Experience. She spent a total 21 years at Safaricom PLC where she nurtured an illustrious career rising to Director, Customer Experience, a role she held for 6 years leading a team of over 2,500 staff and a budget of 5.6B annually. Jannet is the founder of CXP consulting group, a team of experts helping organizations position customer experience at the core of their daily business with the aim of making experience their competitive advantage.
Jannet is the Vice-Chairperson of Women Corporate Directors (WCD) Kenya Chapter. She is the Chairperson of the membership sub-committee at WCD- Kenya and a board member WCD Kenya Chapter Board. Jannet has been a member of the Board at the Institute of Customer Experience-Kenya (ICX Kenya) where she served two terms.
Jannet holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in strategy from the University of Nairobi, an under graduate degree in Economics and Sociology from Egerton University, various executive and management trainings from Strathmore Business School-Kenya, IESE Business School-Spain, Cranfield School of Management-UK and Lagos Business School-Nigeria. Jannet is an Executive Coach and Holds a Diploma in Executive Coaching from the Academy of Executive Coaching (AoC).
LUCY RIMANTO MOLONKET
Member
Lucy holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). She holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Marketing from the University of Nairobi (UON) and a Professional Diploma in Sales and Marketing from the University of Nairobi. Lucy is a Graduate of the Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore-IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain) and Senior Management Leadership Programme from Antai College of Economics and Management-Shanghai, China. She also holds certificates in Executive Leadership Development from Lagos Business School (Pan African University) and Gordon School of Business, in Pretoria South Africa. She is a career Marketer with over 15 years vast experience within the NGO sector, Banking Sector and the Public sector. Currently she is a consultant and runs her private businesses in the construction industry, food production and livestock farming.
CAROLINE MUNYIRI
Member
Caroline Munyiri is the representative of the Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education and Research in the Council. As the Assistant Director of Research in the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Caroline exemplifies a career marked by unwavering dedication to advancing education and innovation. With a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a Bachelor of Education-Science from Kenyatta University, Caroline combines academic excellence with a practical understanding of the education and research landscape. Additional qualifications, including a Diploma in Education Management and certifications in Project Management as well as Leadership and Management, underscore Caroline’s comprehensive approach to professional growth.
Bringing over 19 years of teaching experience to her current role as a researcher in Science, Technology and Innovation, Caroline has made significant contributions to policy and program development in the Ministry of Education. She has spearheaded the creation of research and innovation policies, procedures and guidelines that foster a system-wide approach to innovation, driving sustainability and progress. Her achievements include the initiation and evaluation of impactful research programmes and successful resource mobilization for transformative projects. Passionate about leveraging technology to advance skills, particularly the application of Artificial Intelligence in research, Caroline is dedicated to achieving progressive and sustainable results in the sector. Her professional journey reflects a commitment to empowering others and shaping the future of education through innovation and strategic leadership.
SILVESTER KIBIWOTT KINYOR
Member
Silvester Kibiwott Kinyor is an accomplished Electrical Engineer with an extensive background in the Electrical and Telecommunications industry, spanning over 15 years. His expertise and experience have been instrumental in driving advancements and implementing successful projects across the African region.
Silvester holds a Bachelor’s degree with Second Class Honors, Upper Division, in Technology – Electrical and Communications Engineering. Additionally, he possesses a Master of Business Administration (MBA) IESE Business School, which has enhanced his managerial and leadership skills in the field.
Recognizing the importance of professional development, Silvester has obtained several certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification and the PRINCE2 Project Management Methodology. These certifications have further equipped him with the knowledge and tools to effectively manage complex projects.
Silvester’s specialization in solar energy solutions has established him as a Solar Expert, allowing him to contribute to the development and implementation of sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions. His commitment to professional excellence is evident through his membership in esteemed professional bodies such as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), and the National Construction Authority (NCA).
Throughout his career, Silvester has held various significant positions in renowned telecommunications organizations. These include roles such as Chief Technical Officer, Project Director, Supervision Engineer, and Implementation Engineer. He has had the privilege of working with prominent companies such as Safaricom Kenya, Huawei Kenya, Telkom Kenya, Airtel, Alcatel Lucent, Tanzania Telecommunication, and Rwandatel.
Silvester’s impressive portfolio showcases his successful delivery of diverse projects. He has overseen the installation and implementation of Telecommunication Towers, ensuring seamless connectivity and coverage for telecommunication networks. Additionally, he has played a crucial role in providing green energy solutions to these towers, contributing to sustainable practices in the industry.
His expertise extends beyond telecommunication projects, as Silvester has also spearheaded the deployment of Smart Water meters, enabling efficient and accurate monitoring of water consumption. Furthermore, he has been involved in the strategic rollout of fiber optics infrastructure to various sites, buildings, and homes, facilitating reliable and high-speed internet connectivity for clients.
Silvester Kibiwott Kinyor’s unwavering dedication, technical proficiency, and leadership capabilities have earned him a reputation as a seasoned professional in the Electrical and Telecommunications industry. His contributions have significantly impacted the advancement of communication networks, the adoption of sustainable energy solutions, and the enhancement of connectivity across the African region.
JOSEPH MWAURA KAMAU
Member
Joseph is a highly motivated professional with over 25 years’ experience in Finance, Economics and Investments. He has demonstrated expertise in financial management, and Corporate Governance.
He has vast experience in both private and public sectors having served in the banking sector and currently serving as an economist at the National Treasury. He is experienced in Economic Development, Policy Formulation & Analysis and Budgeting in the public sector.
He holds MBA (Finance), from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea, MA Economics, Finance & Banking (Financial Sector Policy) from Moi University and Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Nairobi.
During his working profession, he has acquired extensive training in Advanced Trainers Skills Development for Senior Trainers (from Kigali Rwanda), Audit Committee Training, compensation Committee Training and training on Making Boards More Effective (from Harvard Business School), Project appraisal and Risk management (from Duke University), Senior Management Course (KSG), Corporate Governance Course for Directors (from Center for Corporate Governance), and Oil and Gas Commercialization Transactions Training (from simmons & simmons).
He is a certified Inverstment and Financial Analyst (ICIFA)
DR. JACOB GEKONGE KWABA
Member
Dr. Jacob G. Kwaba is an accomplished academic and administrator with extensive expertise in education, administration and policy development. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Administration, Management and Policies from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Dr. Kwaba’s academic journey is further enriched by a Master’s degree in Education and Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Education specializing in History and Christian Religious Education (CRE). His foundational training in education includes a P1 Certificate from St. Paul Teachers’ Training College, which highlights his dedication to teaching and mentorship. Additionally, he holds a Diploma in Christian Religious Education from the Nyeri Pastoral Centre, reflecting his commitment to fostering ethical leadership and moral development.
Dr. Kwaba brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and leadership to the Council of Meru University of Science and Technology. His diverse academic background and strong grounding in educational administration contribute to the strategic governance and growth of the institution.
PROF. ROMANUS ODHIAMBO, PH.D
Vice-Chancellor of MUST, Secretary to the Council
Prof. Romanus Odhiambo has over 26-years progressive experience in academics, research and leadership with over 23 years in senior leadership positions. Prof. Odhiambo has participated in Curriculum review for the Commission for University Education since 2001. At the same time, Prof. Odhiambo has worked as an external examiner of Statistics and Mathematics in several Universities in Kenya and Rwanda. Prof. Odhiambo has been involved and continues to be involved in the supervision of Ph.D and Masters’ theses examinations.
Prof. Odhiambo is a member of International Biometric Society (IBS), Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS), Kenya Inter-University Association of Mathematicians and Computer Scientists and Specialized Committee of Science Education in East Africa coordinated by Inter University Council of East Africa (ICUEA). In his career, he has distinguished himself in organization’s development and management aspects such as resource mobilization, fund raising, projects management and leading change.
Prof. Odhiambo is the Vice-Chancellor of Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the Secretary to the University Council.