SUSTAINABLE FINANCING
Board of Trustees
The UF’s board consists of members who work comprehensively with the CEO towards achieving UF’s objectives.
The UF’s board consists of members who work comprehensively with the CEO towards achieving UF’s objectives.
Prof. Karuti Kanyinga assumed the role of Chairperson of the Universities Fund Board on 8th July 2022. He brings extensive experience in the university sector and is widely recognised for his scholarly contributions in governance and development. Prof. Kanyinga is a distinguished development researcher and scholar, with significant national and international exposure. His research portfolio spans various areas, including land rights, civil society and development, ethnicity and development, and electoral politics and development. Moreover, he possesses expertise in monitoring and evaluating major development programs, as well as in overseeing their implementation. He has led diverse teams of project managers and researchers in delivering large, multi-donor funded initiatives. Prof. Kanyinga has also served as a valuable resource person for numerous international organisations, including the World Bank, USAID, and other bilateral agencies, offering insights on governance, project planning, and implementation. Additionally, he has actively contributed to community development efforts and provided intellectual perspectives on various national and international issues. Prof. Kanyinga holds a PhD in Social Sciences with a specialisation in International Development Studies (IDS), a Master of Arts in Government, and a Bachelor of Arts, all from the University of Nairobi.
Benjamin Kapsir is a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience in public finance management, government operations, and strategic leadership. He serves as a Senior Principal Finance Officer at the State Department for Higher Education and joined the Universities Fund Board of Trustees on 1 July 2025 as the representative of the State Department for Higher Education.
He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Accounting Option), both from Kennesaw State University, USA. He has also completed the Strategic Leadership Development Programme and the Senior Management Course at the Kenya School of Government.
Mr. Kapsir brings extensive expertise in public financial management, policy implementation, and institutional governance, contributing valuable strategic and financial oversight to the Board of Trustees.
Ms. Linah K Mwau was appointed as a Board Member of the Universities Fund in December, 2024 representing the National Treasury and Economic Planning. She serves as a member of Finance, Administration, and General purpose Committee, as well as the Audit and Risk Committee.
Ms. Mwau is an accomplished Financial specialist with extensive experience in public financial management, policy development, and risk management. She currently serves as a Financial Specialist at the Public Financial Management Reforms (PFMR) Secretariat, The National Treasury, where she plays a pivotal role in overseeing multi-donor funded projects, budget formulation, financial reporting and facilitating Public Expenditure and Fiscal Accountability assessments (PEFA).
Her expertise in financial analysis, taxation, auditing, and Public Financial Management has positioned her as a trusted advisor on fiscal policy and accountability. She has collaborated with various government agencies, development partners, and stakeholders to strengthen financial systems and enhance sustainability in public sector funding. This makes her a valuable asset to the Universities Board.
She holds a Master of Science in (Finance) with specialization in Investments from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance Option). She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of ICPAK. Additionally, she has certification on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
Mr. Reagan Kaberia was appointed Trustee of the Universities Fund Board on 31st May 2023. He serves as a member of the Planning, Research and Resource Mobilisation Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee.
With over two decades of extensive experience in strategic leadership and program management, Mr. Kaberia is a distinguished leader in his field. He currently holds the position of CEO of ZOE Global South and Kenya Country Manager for Zoe Empowers. In these roles, he has been instrumental in leading and implementing empowerment programs across multiple countries, including Kenya, Malawi, India, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Southern Sudan, Liberia, and Rwanda.
Mr. Kaberia’s expertise lies in strategic planning, financial management, and team development. His leadership has significantly enhanced the effectiveness and accountability of the organisations under his guidance. His deep commitment to policy development, business management, and continuous learning ensures that he remains at the forefront of industry trends and best practices.
Mr. Kaberia holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from Kenya Methodist University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Kenyatta University.
Jacqueline Jacoyange is a Mental Health Specialist and Strategic Partnerships Professional with over 20 years of experience in leadership, stakeholder engagement, governance, and organisational development across the aviation, logistics, customer experience, and mental health sectors.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Counselling from Daystar University. Jacqueline is a registered member of the Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) and the Counsellors and Psychologists Board.
She brings extensive expertise in strategic leadership, partnership development, resource mobilisation, and psychosocial wellbeing. As a Trustee of the Universities Fund Board, she is committed to advancing equitable access to quality university education and supporting sustainable higher education financing in Kenya.
Esther Sagini is an accomplished administrator and governance professional with extensive experience in public service, human resource management, public relations, and institutional administration.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Eastern Africa and began her career in the Civil Service as a Personnel Officer in the Ministry of Environment. She later served in various capacities at ICDC (now Kenya Development Corporation) and Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU), where she rose to the position of Chief Manager, Administration.
Ms Sagini has served on the Board of the Postal Corporation of Kenya, where she chaired both the Finance and Human Resource Committees and served on the Audit Committee. She is also a Certified Trustee and has served on the Board of Trustees of the Postal Corporation of Kenya Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme. Her expertise in governance, administration, and institutional leadership strengthens her contribution to the Universities Fund Board.
Isaiah Kirukmet is a seasoned public administrator with over 20 years of experience in public sector leadership, institutional governance, compliance, and strategic management.
He holds a Master of Arts in Criminology and Social Order from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Previously, he has served as a Senior Manager at the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), where he provided leadership in compliance, investigations, stakeholder engagement, and service delivery, contributing to improved operational efficiency and customer experience.
Mr Kirukmet has also served in governance roles as a Board Member of Toniok High School and NHIF Sacco, enhancing his expertise in strategic oversight, accountability, and institutional development.
Conrad Keya is an actuarial scientist, research consultant, and youth leader with expertise in governance, public policy, monitoring and evaluation, research, and institutional development.
He is pursuing a Master of Science in Actuarial Science at Maseno University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science with Information Technology from the same institution.
Currently, he serves as the National Chairperson of the Coalition of Youth for Devolution, where he champions youth participation in governance and development including the development of the Kakamega County Youth Policy.
Mr Keya has led and contributed to numerous national and international initiatives in partnership with development organisations, government institutions, and civil society, promoting accountability, youth empowerment, and policy development.
Fakira Kassim is a dedicated Clinical Officer with over 15 years of experience in healthcare, quality assurance, governance, and regulatory management.
Studied clinical medicine at Kenya Medical Training College and Higher National Diploma in lung and skin at the same institution.
She has served as a Board Director at the Water Services Regulatory Board, where she contributed to strategic leadership, policy formulation, quality improvement, stakeholder engagement, and the regulation of water service providers across various regions. During her tenure, she chaired the Audit Committee and supported institutional development aimed at strengthening effective service delivery.
Her clinical background, combined with expertise in health management, quality assurance, and organisational leadership, has enhanced her ability to drive evidence-based decision-making, improve service standards, and support sustainable public service delivery.
Dr. Edwin Wanyonyi is the Acting Chief Executive Officer/Director General at the Universities Fund, where he excels in cultivating impactful partnerships, driving enterprise initiatives, and implementing effective resource mobilisation strategies. With extensive experience in both public and private sectors, he brings a wealth of knowledge in resource mobilisation, partnership development, and strategic planning.
An alumnus of the United States International Visitor Leadership Programme, Dr. Wanyonyi previously served as the Head of Directorate, Strategy, Planning, and Resource Mobilisation at the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management. He has also worked with prominent organizations such as Adept CN, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA), and Ernst & Young.
Dr. Wanyonyi holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBA in Strategic Management, and a Bachelor of Business Administration. He is a trained ISO Quality Management System Auditor, a Certified Fundraiser, and a member of the Kenya Institute of Management and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Beyond his professional roles, he has significantly contributed to national and international development efforts, serving on the National Steering Committee of the UNDP Small Grants Programme and the Executive Committee of the Alliance of Conservation Funds in Africa (CAFE). He is also a published author and speaker on leadership, strategy, and resource mobilisation.
