Prof. Mabel Imbuga

Prof Mabel Imbuga has been appointed vice-chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology for a five-year term. Prof Imbuga becomes the second female Vice Chancellor to head a public University in Kenya, after Prof Olive Mugenda was appointed Vice Chancellor of the Kenyatta University in 2006.

Her appointment marks a great milestone in achieving equality for women and ensuring affirmative action in gender sensitization. However it is also a call to raise women’s participation in all levels of leadership since out of the nine public universities in Kenya, only two are headed by women.-

Prof Imbuga has been the acting Vice Chancellor for four months and is taking over from Prof Nick Wanjohi, whose term ended on 26 March 2008. President Kibaki appointed Prof Imbuga as Vice Chancellor in exercise of powers conferred on him by section 12 (1) of the JKUAT Act.

As announced by the university council, the appointment came into effect from 1 August 2008. Prof Imbuga’s appointment comes in the wake of the university shutting down due to students’ protests over a recent fee increment.

Ms Imbuga, is a Biochemistry professor, and was the dean of the Faculty of Science between 1999 and 2003, serving two terms. She was also the chairperson of the Department of Biochemistry between 1998 and 1999.

She was later appointed Director in charge of Academic Programmes at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, JKUAT. In May 2005, Prof Imbuga became deputy vice-chancellor, Academic Affairs.

Confirming the appointment, the Chancellor of JKUAT, Prof. Ali Mazrui said, "Prof. Imbuga is a renowned scientist who has published widely in peer reviewed scientific journals, and is a successful family person".