June 4, 2018

CS APPOINTS PROF. GICHERU AS A VARSITY DVC Prof. Esther Gicheru has been appointed the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance, Planning and Administration at The Co-operative University of Kenya. Prior to this appointment by the Cabinet Secretary for Education Ambassador Dr. Amina Mohamed, Esther Gicheru served as the Director, Institute of Co-operative Development and an Associate Professor in Cooperative Management and Organization Development at the Co-operative University of Kenya. She is a doctorate degree holder in Organization Development and Transformation with over forty one years of scholarly and administrative experience in the Co-operative sector. Prof. Gicheru attended the University of Nairobi where she studied Agriculture.  She furthered her studies in Co-operative Management and Organization Development at Leicester University (Master of Arts (M.A.) In Co-operative Management and Organization Development), United Kingdom and wrote her doctorate from Cebu Doctors’ University, The Philippines.  She holds a Diploma in Counseling Psychology of Tangaza University College. Her career started in 1976 as a Co-operative Officer in Kenya’s Ministry of Co-operative Development and Marketing where she served in various capacities before moving to The Co-operative College of Kenya as its Principal in 1988 under the Ministry of Co-operative Development and Marketing, rose to Director of The Co-operative College of Kenya when it became a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency.  She was, in August 2012 appointed as acting Principal of The Co-operative University College of Kenya following its much celebrated elevation to a constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. As an educationist, and to her credit, she has directed many research activities alone and with colleague researchers.  She has coordinated successful implementation of many training programs both nationally and internationally.  Her research work spans co-operative management, co-operative policy, gender issues in co-operatives and incorporation of co-operative training in higher education curricula.  She is highly regarded and respected as a co-operative researcher and strategic thinker. Prof. Gicheru in recognition of her contribution to the co-operative movement worldwide received the most respected international award, The Rochadale Pioneers’ Award (RPA) in 2007. In addition she was also recognized for her remarkable contribution to the Co-operative Movement in Kenya and was granted the presidential award of Head of State Commendations (HSC) IN 2008. The co-operative movement in Kenya further gave her an additional recognition in the same year. In the year 2016, Prof. Gicheru received another presidential award, Order of Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW). Prof. Gicheru takes over from Prof. Esther Magiri who served in the capacity of the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance, Planning and Administration from March, 2017