Rose Mwonya: Professor of home economics

Professor Rose Mwonya is on course to becoming the fifth vice chancellor of Egerton University and the institution's first ever female vice chancellor when she officially takes over the reins from Prof James Tuitoek next week.

Today's Sunday Nation (10 January 2016) contains a feature on Prof Mwonya's academic journey and her rise to the top.

Below is an excerpt of the article by Elvis Ondieki.

Prof Mwonya spent her formative years at Ndenga Primary School in Siaya County where she studied up to Standard Four before her father took her to Asumbi Girls Boarding School in Homa Bay County. From there she joined Nyabururu Girls in Kisii and later enrolled at the Embu Institute of Agriculture.

Afterwards, she worked under the Agriculture ministry before she applied to the government to secure her an admission to pursue a diploma at Egerton University, then under the University of Nairobi.

She finished her three-year-course in Agriculture and Home Economics in 1975 then was later posted to Kakamega district as a District Home Economics Officer. She worked in that position shortly before going to Bukura Institute of Agriculture in the then Western province as a lecturer to fulfil her dreams.

Later, she received a scholarship from the United States Agency for International Development to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture at the Iowa State University which she completed in one and a half years. 

She also pursued an MSc and PhD in Home Economics Education at the same institution until 1984. Prof Mwonya majored in home economics, a discipline that incorporates child development and adult education among other aspects.

Read the full article, Rose Mwonya: My rise from village girl to vice-chancellor

Congratulations to Prof Rose Mwonya on her appointment as Vice Chancellor!