Prof. Olive Mugenda

Title: Professor
Department: Community Resource Management and Extension
Contact Address: P.O. Box 43844 – 0100, Nairobi, Kenya
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Brief Bio

Professor Olive Mugenda is a distinguished academic and scholar with extensive expertise in Education, Women and Girls’ Education, Family and Consumer Economics, and Research Methods and Statistics.
She has an illustrious career marked by excellence in teaching, research, leadership, and institutional development. As the former Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University (2006–2016), Professor Mugenda spearheaded transformative reforms that elevated the university’s academic profile, expanded infrastructure, and enhanced research and innovation capacity.

Her work is deeply rooted in improving access to quality education, advancing gender equality, and strengthening higher education systems in Africa. She continues to play a leading role in promoting educational reform, research excellence, and women’s empowerment both locally and internationally.

Areas of Specialization:
1. Education
2. Women/Girls Education
3. Family and Consumer Economics
4. Research Methods and Statistics

Professional Affiliation

• Chairperson, Kenya Home Economics Association
• Member, Association of African Women in Research and Development
• Member, Home Economics Association for Africa

Membership of Boards

• Vice-President – International Association of Universities
• Member-Kenya National Examinations Council
• Member-Lake Victoria Research Awards Initiative’s Scientific Advisory Committee.
• Member-Functional Illiteracy Research and Education Board
• Member -AAU’s Working Group on Higher Education.
• Member -Africa-US Higher Education Initiative Advisory Board.
• Member -Working Group on Higher Education (a committee of Association of African Universities).
• Member -Partnership for Higher Education in Africa Steering Committee
• Member-Moi Girls High School Board of Governors, Kamangu, Kiambu

Funded Projects:

•  Mapping Out Best Practices for Improving Access to Higher Education for Orphaned and Vulnerable Students in Kenya and Rwanda – Funded by the Association of African Universities
• Kenyatta University Reforms Project – Funded by the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa
• Enhancing Female Participation and Performance in Mathematics, Science and ICT in Primary Education in Kenya: Intervention Strategies – Funded by the Rockefeller Foundation
• Enhancing Female Participation and Performance in Mathematics, Science and ICT in University Education in Kenya: Intervention Strategies – Funded by the Ford Foundation
• Review of the Kenyatta University Strategic Plan – Funded by the Rockefeller Foundation
  US–Kenya Citizens Exchange Program – Funded by the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Cultural Affairs
• Intervention Strategies to Fight HIV/AIDS at Kenyatta University and Publication of the HIV/AIDS Policy – Funded by the National AIDS Control Council (NACC)
• Regional Conference on the Role of Universities in the Attainment of Millennium Development Goals – Funded by AICAD, IUCEA, DAAD, and OSSREA

Publications

• Kisiangani I., Jornada Ben Â., Wynberg E., Wami W., Iddi S., Mugenda O., Kiguoya M.W., Kimondo M., Githua G., de Jong M.D., Mohamed S.F., Asiki G., Schultsz C. (2025). Recovery and long-term health outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a prospective cohort in an urban setting, Kenya. Global Health Action, 18(1):2500795. (Epub 30 May 2025). doi:10.1080/16549716.2025.2500795. 
• Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (3rd Rev. Ed., 2019). Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Nairobi: Acts Press. (Widely used text; multiple institutional listings and later reprints/editions). sciepub.com
• Kathuri-Ogola, L.N., Mugenda, O. & Kerre, F. (2014). Challenges Faced and Coping Strategies Adopted by Family Caregivers in Dealing with People Living with HIV/AIDS in Thika District, Central Province, Kenya. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IJHSS), 4(6):184–193.
• Kathuri-Ogola, L.N., Mugenda, O. and Kerre., F. (2014). Challenges Faced and the Coping Strategies Adopted by Family Caregivers in Dealing with People Living with HIV/AIDS in Thika District, Central Province, Kenya. The International Journal of Humanities and Social Science(IJHSS) 4(6): 184-193. © Center for Promoting Ideas, USA, 2014 (ISSN: 2220-8488 (Print), 2221-0989 (Online)).
• Mugenda, A.G. & Mugenda, A. (2013). Qualitative Research Methods. Applied Research & Training Services, Nairobi. 
• Mugenda, A.G. & Mugenda, A.G. (2012). Research Methods Dictionary. Applied Research & Training Services, Nairobi. 
• Olive, M.M. and Abel, G.M., 2010. Research methods. (institutional/publication listings). 
• Higher Education in Kenya: Challenges and Opportunities, African Higher Education Collaborative, 2008
• Financing University Education in Kenya: The Role of Stakeholders, Higher Education Loans Board, 2008
• Enhancing Access to University Education in Kenya, 2007
• University Roles in Meeting Aspirations for ICT and Economic Development, Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, 2006
• Higher Education Policy, Research and International Collaboration, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 2006
• Gender Inequality in the Governance and Management of Higher Education, 2006
• Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, Africa Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), (1999, Revised 2003)
• Life Skills, Sexual Maturation and Sanitation: What is (not) happening in our Schools ? An Exploratory Study in Kenya. Weaver Press, Zimbabwe, 2002
• Redefining and Actualizing Research in African Universities: A Multi-faceted Approach for the 21st Century, Journal of Practice in Education for Development, 5/2, 2000

Recognition: