The University of Nairobi’s Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) division is signaling a bold, forward-looking commitment to institutional transformation following the successful conclusion of a three-day training workshop for the Women in Leadership (WPL) programme on Thursday, 13 th March 2026. While the workshop was expertly organised and hosted by the Africa Women Studies Centre (AWSC), the RIE Division values and supports this initiative because of its vital contribution to the University’s strategic vision of a globally competitive institution that transforms society through inclusivity, equity, and people-centered development.
The workshop was organised under the project titled "Participation of Women in Economic Leadership and Academic Institutions in Kenya," led by a dedicated team including Principal Investigator Prof. Tabitha Kiriti-Ng’ang’a, AWSC Director Prof. Wanjiku Kabira, and technical leads across various workstreams.
The RIE division recognises that this work aligns perfectly with the University of Nairobi’s Strategic Plan 2023–2027, which prioritises inclusivity, equity, and people-centered development. Prof. Leonidah Kerubo Omosa, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (RIE), highlighted the profound impact of this work during the workshop’s closing at the University of Nairobi Towers by stating:
"You are not simply gathering data; you are capturing the experiences, journeys, and aspirations
of women whose voices are essential to crafting meaningful and sustainable change".
The project moves beyond academic inquiry, aiming to dismantle historical barriers through gender-responsive infrastructure, including the institutionalisation of mentorship programmes and childcare facilities to help women "remain, progress, and thrive".
The workshop demonstrated the University's collective strength, drawing researchers and students from all 10 faculties, including Arts and Social Sciences, Science and Technology, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, and Law. This diversity ensured a "truly academic discussion" where scientists and social researchers collaborated on feminist research methodologies to address institutional gaps.
Prof. Kerubo expressed her excitement regarding the programme's potential, stating:
"I am delighted to witness the energy and the commitment you have brought to this exercise...
This programme is not just about research, it is about strengthening our university as an
institution".
Prof. Jack Odhiambo, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, emphasised the weight of this mission, noting that the researchers' work is "foundational" and serves as the "bridge between lived realities and vidence-based change".
Prof. Tabitha Kiriti highlighted the far-reaching impact of these efforts:
"If the policies... are institutionalised and they are working, it is not just the department of
economics that benefits; it is the whole university".
As the baseline survey commences the week of March 16 th, the RIE division pledges its full commitment to operationalising these policies and institutionalising a sustainable mentorship programme. By turning rigorous data into actionable reform, the Research Division and the AWSC project team are ensuring the University of Nairobi remains a global leader in transformative inquiry.