Prof. Siphila Wanjiku Mumenya takes over as Dean, Faculty of Engineering

The University of Nairobi warmly welcomes Prof. Siphila Wanjiku Mumenya as the new Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. Prof. Mumenya, a distinguished academic and civil engineer, was elected to the position in July 2024 and will serve a three-year term. She makes history as the first female Dean of the Fcaulty.  She succeeds Prof. Ayub Gitau in this role. She holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cape Town (2007), an MSc in Civil Engineering Structures from City University, London (1990), and a BSc in Civil Engineering (Hons) from the University of Nairobi (1980).

A formal handover ceremony took place on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at the Dean's office, attended by departmental chairmen and faculty administration.

Prof. Mumenya brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role. She has been a faculty member at the University of Nairobi since 1996, rising through the ranks to become Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering in 2023. During her tenure, she has distinguished herself as an exceptional researcher, educator, and leader. She served as Chairman of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering from 2014 to 2017 and is currently an Associate Professor in the same department. Her academic contributions include supervising and examining numerous PhD and MSc students and authoring various scholarly books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and conference papers. Prof. Mumenya's mentorship has inspired many female engineering students, significantly increasing their participation in engineering and science careers both nationally and internationally.

Prof. Mumenya's research focus on cementitious materials has positioned her as a key figure in this area at the University of Nairobi. She has fostered international collaborations, particularly with the University of Cape Town's Concrete Materials & Structural Integrity Research Unit.

Her professional engagements extend beyond academia. Prof. Mumenya is a Registered Consulting Engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) and a Corporate Member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK). She has served on various boards, including as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) and Council Member of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya (ACEK).

Prof. Mumenya's election as Dean marks a new chapter for the Faculty of Engineering, which continues to lead in engineering education, innovation, and research. We look forward to her leadership in advancing the faculty’s mission of developing knowledge and manpower towards Kenya's industrialization.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Mumenya and look forward to her transformative leadership.