On Thursday 23 April 2026, the University of Nairobi (UoN) officially launched the University of Nairobi Women in STEM Association (UN WISE), marking a historic milestone in the institution's commitment to gender parity in science and technology.
The launch, held at the UoN Towers, coincided with the kickoff of the “Sisters Science Safari”, an experiential learning programme designed to immerse secondary school girls from Nairobi, Narok, and Kajiado counties into the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) by connecting them with successful female scientists and academic role models. About 40 girls, and their teachers, from six secondary schools attended the event alongside mentors under the umbrella of UN WISE and their French counterparts under the Sisters Science Safari. It was co-organised by the African Engineering and Technology Network (AFRETEC) with support from the French Embassy in Nairobi.
The initiative seeks to bridge the gender gap in technical fields by providing a structured community for mentorship and professional growth. Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, who was the chief guest during the twin launch said women make up 41 percent of STEM enrollment at the University of Nairobi, which is a significant increase from previous years. She emphasised that this progress must be sustained through deliberate support systems citing the importance of gender representation in research and the role of STEM in driving national industrialisation.
The Sisters Science Safari two-day programme took the students on a journey through research labs, including visits to the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and guide them through hands-on experiments in physics and chemistry.
Prof. Hutchinson shared her challenging personal journey to the top, encouraging the students to overcome societal barriers and pursue ambitious scientific careers. A professor of Horticulture and the first woman to lead the university since its inception, the VC set the perfect tone for the twin events.
The VC also stressed the long-term commitment by the University to support UN WISE by embedding the initiative within the official research and innovation calendar in addition to her personal commitment to serve as a mentor through UN WISE.
The Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE), Prof. Leonidah Kerubo, who is also a scientist in the field of Organic Chemistry, emphasised that the programme was central to the university’s strategic vision for national development. "This is a deliberate investment in the future of STEM," the DVC noted. "It seeks to inspire and nurture secondary school girls to see science as part of their everyday lives and to embrace STEM fields as viable and exciting career pathways".
The VC described the launch as a shift toward cross-mentorship, where seasoned professors provide value systems while "digital native" students offer insights into emerging technologies like AI. In the long-term, as these young women transition from students to mentors, UN WISE aims to create a self-sustaining cycle of excellence that will transform Kenya’s industrial landscape.