Prof. Paul Kuria Wainaina is a Kenyan Academic Administrator and the current vice chancellor of Kenyatta University (KU). He rose to the position on 26th January 2018 after serving in acting capacity for two years.
Wainaina replaced former KU Vice Chancellor Prof. Olive Mugenda whose term expired in 2016. He is an accredited professor of Education majoring in Philosophy of Education.
This article takes you through the biography of Paul Wainaina, highlighting his educational and career background, and personal life.
Prof. Paul Wainaina Age and Place of Birth.
Paul Wainaina was born in Central Kenya with his exact date of birth not known to the public.
Paul Wainaina Tribe
He hails from the Kikuyu Community who mostly occupies central Kenya and parts of Rift Valley especially Nakuru.
Paul Wainaina Educational background.
Paul Wainaina holds a bachelors of Education degree (2nd class Honors) from the University of Nairobi. He acquired his bachelor’s degree in 1976. He also holds a master of Arts (MA) in Philosophy of Education, which he was awarded in 1982 by the University of Nairobi.
His Thesis for Masters degree is “Educational Implications of the Metaphysical Controversy Between Free Will and Determinism: With Special Reference to Moral Education in Schools”. He specialized in studying Philosophy of Education.
In addition to that, he holds a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Philosophy of Education from the University of Alberta, Canada which he acquired in 1985. The Thesis for his PhD Dissertation is: “A Critique of Utilitarian Justification of Education”.
He has also undergone training related to University management between 2012 and 2015 as follows:
2012: Public procurement training by KIPROD consulting group in partnership with the Public Procurement and Oversight Authority (PPOA).
2013: Management of Higher Educational Institutions, Galilee International Management Institute, Israel.
2015: Training on Leadership in Management of Research Innovation.
2015: Training on retirement Benefits scheme for University Staff at Whitesands Hotel, Mombasa (as a trustee).
Prof. Paul Wainaina Career Journey.
In 1970 and 1972, Wainaina trained as a primary teacher and secondary teacher respectively. This signifies he once taught in primary and secondary schools.
Upon completing his education, he began teaching as a Lecturer at Kenyatta University in 1985. In 1987, he joined Moi University and was promoted to a senior lecturer teaching Philosophy of Education.
Between 1990 and 1996, he was an associate professor of Education at Moi University. In 1996, he became a full professor of Education at Moi University where he tutored until 1997.
While at Moi University, he served as the chairman of the university’s Teaching Practice Program as well as a hostel warden for 700 students. Between 1987 and 1993, he founded and chaired the department of Educational Foundations at Moi University Eldoret Campus. Between 1988 and 1993, he acted as the dean of faculty of education on several occasions.
As from 1997, Paul Wainaina was a full professor of Education at the University of Namibia where he stayed until 2004. At Namibia University, he served as the dean of Faculty of education for five years. He also served as the chairman of department, Educational foundations and co-directed as project of upgrading the university between 2002 and 2003.