Prof. Florence Ondieki has been appointed the substantive Principal of the College of Human Resource Development (COHRED), ushering in a new chapter in the College’s leadership.
Her appointment follows a successful competitive recruitment process after serving in an acting capacity since 2023. She succeeds Prof. Elegwa Mukulu, the founding Principal of the College, who played a pivotal role in its establishment, growth, and development.
Through an appointment letter dated April 14, 2026, Prof. Ondieki was confirmed as the Principal of COHRED for a five-year renewable term. As Principal, she will provide academic and administrative leadership to the College, oversee its strategic direction, and promote excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement.
Prof. Ondieki holds a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Development Studies from JKUAT. She brings extensive experience in university leadership, academic administration, research, and institutional development.
Prof. Ondieki has served in several leadership positions at JKUAT, including; Chair of the Department of Social Sciences, Dean, School of Communication and Development Studies, Director of the Nairobi CBD Campus, and, most recently, Acting Principal of COHRED. In these roles, she contributed significantly to strengthening academic programmes, institutional partnerships, and the University’s strategic growth.
Reflecting on her appointment, Prof. Ondieki said assuming the substantive role is a continuation of the work she has been undertaking to advance the College’s academic and strategic agenda. She pledged to build on the strong foundation established by her predecessor by strengthening academic excellence, research, innovation, partnerships, and student success.
“Although this role is not entirely new to me, I look forward to continuing to enhance service delivery across the College while leveraging digital technologies to improve administrative efficiency, strengthen academic programmes, and better support our staff and students,” said Prof. Ondieki.
She also underscored the importance of strengthening industry linkages through strategic partnerships to enhance students’ practical learning experiences and graduate employability. In addition, she emphasized the need for continuous staff capacity building to ensure lecturers remain well-equipped to deliver quality, industry-responsive education.
She noted that ongoing training on Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) forms part of the College’s preparations for the transition to competency-based learning in higher education.
A strong advocate of experiential learning, Prof. Ondieki highlighted one of the College’s recent initiatives, a partnership with VIVES University of Applied Sciences aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship education through a student-led bakery project.
Under the initiative, students will manage the bakery under the guidance of coaches from both institutions, gaining practical experience in business operations, innovation, and enterprise management.
Congratulating the new Principal on her appointment, former COHRED Principal Prof. Elegwa Mukulu expressed confidence in her leadership and ability to steer the College to greater heights.
“First, let me congratulate the new substantive Principal, Prof. Ondieki, on her appointment. An alumna of both the University of Oxford and JKUAT, she is an excellent administrator who will lead the college to even greater heights,” said Prof. Mukulu.
Prof. Mukulu also urged the new Principal to harness the College’s greatest asset its human resource. He noted that COHRED is endowed with a highly talented and dedicated workforce whose expertise and commitment have been instrumental to the College’s success.
The Vice Chancellor while congratulating Prof. Ondieki on her appointment, she stated that the new Principal “will undertake her duties both administrative and academic in accordance with the University’s statutes, policies, and regulations”.
