Published on April 30, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 1 year by Agencies for Kenya Online News
On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Dr. Benard William Chitunga made history after being installed as the second chancellor of the Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK), a chartered public university in the country.
His installation made him the youngest ever chancellor appointed to lead an institution of higher learning in the country. He will serve a five-year term as the university’s chancellor, succeeding former Cooperatives Minister the late Joseph Nyagah, who was the inaugural chancellor of the institution located in Karen, Nairobi.
The 36-year-old rose to this position following his appointment by President William Ruto, who also attended his installation.
He was appointed as the Chancellor of The Co-operative University of Kenya for a five-year term, effective January 10, 2025. His appointment was formalized vide Gazette Notice No. 387, in accordance with the Universities Act No. 42 of 2012, by His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces.
“Dr Chitunga’s elevation to the chancellor role reflects our collective conviction that young people are not merely leaders of tomorrow; they can also lead today. As a government, we are intentional about integrating young people into leadership to unlock their innovation, energy, and bold thinking in shaping our country’s future,” Ruto stated.
On his side, Chitunga vowed to transform the institution through strategic development and investment. He also pledged to unleash a cooperative stimulus to accelerate Kenya’s development agenda.
His profile
Chitunga holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Management from KwaZulu-Natal University, South Africa. He also pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from UGSM Monarch Business School, Switzerland.
Additionally, he holds a master’s degree in global business and sustainability-social entrepreneurship from Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Italy, and a postgraduate degree in development strategy and governance from Bradford University, United Kingdom.
Before his appointment, Chitunga worked at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), based at the headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as a senior officer for partnerships, donors, and special projects.
He was the Banks’ secretariat to the USD 5 billion Affirmative Finance Special and Trust Funds, where he had the privilege of serving as the task manager/lead during their establishment in 2018.
