Dr. Lucy Kananu has been re-elected to serve a second two-year term as Dean of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (SOAES), following a unanimous vote by faculty members on August 21, 2025.
Announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Ms. Lydia Kimundu, Acting Registrar, Academic Affairs, lauded Dr. Kananu for her exemplary leadership and mentorship, which she noted have significantly shaped the school’s growth and progress.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Kananu expressed gratitude to the faculty for the trust and confidence placed in her leadership. She reaffirmed her commitment to working collaboratively with staff and students to advance the school’s success.
“I sincerely appreciate the goodwill you have shown me by granting me the opportunity to serve a second term as your dean. Your continued support has been key to fostering collaboration as we pursue our shared goals. This re-election gives me the chance to complete the initiatives we began together while also charting new ones in a more focused and realistic way,” said Dr. Kananu.
Outlining her vision for the new term, Dr. Kananu emphasized research, outreach, internationalization, and academic advancement as her key priorities.
On research, she highlighted the importance of strengthening applied and collaborative projects that directly respond to Kenya’s pressing agricultural needs, while nurturing quality postgraduate studies and boosting publication output through teamwork.
In terms of outreach, Dr. Kananu pledged to expand community-based initiatives by aligning student projects and fieldwork with the needs of farmers particularly in addressing food security through demonstration farms and partnerships within Kiambu County’s agricultural value chains.
On internationalization, Dr. Kananu highlighted the potential of cost-effective collaborations, including joint online seminars, co-authored research, and short-term exchange programs within JKUAT’s global networks.
She further emphasized the need to modernize academic programs by adopting Competency-Based Education Training (CBET) approaches, improving postgraduate training, and strengthening academic seminars.