Teresa Akenga

Teresa Akenga
Founding Vice-Chancellor
In office 10 June 2013 –11 June 2023
Personal details
Born	Ebubayi, Bunyore, Kenya
Education	Kenyatta University (BEd, MSc) University of New South Wales (PhD) KCA University (MBA)
Occupation	Chemist, academic administrator

Teresa Ayuko Oduor Akenga is a Kenyan chemist and academic administrator who served as the founding Vice-Chancellor of the University of Eldoret from 10 June 2013 to 11 June 2023. ^{[1] [2]} She is a professor of organic chemistry and also serves as Chair of the Forum for African Women Vice-Chancellors (FAWoVC). ^[3]

Early life and education

Akenga was born in Ebubayi, Bunyore, Kenya. ^[4] Her father encouraged her pursuit of science subjects, which were less common for girls at the time. ^[3] She earned a Bachelor of Education (Science, Chemistry major) with First Class Honours and a Master of Science in Chemistry from Kenyatta University. Akenga completed a Master's Qualifying program and a PhD in Organic Chemistry (Synthesis) at the University of New South Wales in Australia. She later obtained a Master of Business Administration (Corporate Governance) from KCA University in Nairobi. ^{[1] [2]}

Academic and administrative career

Akenga is a lecturer of chemistry and mathematics. Akenga held senior roles including Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, Research, and Extension at the Management University of Africa and Deputy Principal for Academic Affairs at Bondo University College (now Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology). ^[2]

Awards and memberships

She received the Moran of the Burning Spear from President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013 for contributions to education and research. In 2020, she was honored as the Best Woman in Education Leadership in East Africa by the Asian Confederation of Businesses and World Education Congress. She is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC), Kenya Chemical Society (KCS), Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD). ^[1]

References

1. "Vice Chancellor 2013 - 2023". University of Eldoret. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
2. "Prof. Teresa Akenga, Chair, FAWoVC". RUFORUM. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
3. "The challenge of the girl child begins at birth, University of Eldoret VC Professor Teresa Akenga". The Standard. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
4. Kabaji, Egara (2023). "Teresa Ayuko Akenga". In Kabaji, Egara (ed.). The Petite Dark Girl Who Grew Up to Become... Taylor & Francis. ISBN   9781003294924 . Retrieved 4 December 2025.