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BERNADETTE WANYONYI MUSUNDI
CHAIR STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
Bernadette Wanyonyi Musundi, an authority in governance affairs, holds the position of Chair of the Strathmore University Council, appointed in September 2012. Established by the Trustees to govern and advance the foundational and educational objectives of Strathmore University, the Council legally operates under Article 13 of Part III of the Strathmore University Charter. It functions as the governing body of this private university situated in Nairobi, Kenya, and assumes responsibility for steering the university’s strategic direction, shaping policies, and overseeing its overall management.
Renowned for her illustrious career, Bernadette held the respected position of Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Government of Kenya, in the Office of the Vice President and Ministry of Home Affairs, Heritage, and Sports. She also served as the Accounting Officer in the said Ministry from 2000 to 2002. Her tenure was characterised by exceptional leadership, strategic acumen, and a profound grasp of governmental affairs.
One of Bernadette’s remarkable achievements was her instrumental role in coordinating administrative measures that led to the establishment of the Children’s Act. This legislative milestone, enacted to safeguard the rights of children, stands as a testament to her commitment to social progress and enhanced legal provisions. She contributed immensely to the governmental policy formulation for the free education programme. She also played a pivotal role in driving modern transformative reforms within the Prisons Department and actively contributed to shaping crucial gender-related policies.
Furthermore, Bernadette’s influence extends beyond national borders. For instance, she participated in the International Cooperative Alliances (ICA) Global Women Committee leadership. She was elected as the Vice President of Women Co-operators on a global level. In this capacity, she contributed to many educational workshops to raise the African women’s involvement in the world co-operative movement. She was further contracted as an International Labour Organisation (ILO) Consultant on gender development and many of her ideas were integrated into ILO’s strategy.
As a steadfast champion for gender parity and women’s empowerment, Bernadette exemplifies unwavering commitment in her capability as a member of the Kianda Foundation. This non-profit organisation is devoted to advancing formal and technical education, with a resolute mission to create a lasting positive impact on the community. Her influence is further felt as she served as Chair of the National Trefoil Women’s Guild of the Kenya Girl Guides Association. Bernadette, additionally, served as the Executive Director of the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) twice, being recalled for restructuring the organisation for a greater role in national development. MYWO is one of the largest women’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Eastern Africa. These esteemed roles resonate harmoniously with her dedication to the all-embracing cause of fostering positive change and empowerment.
In the academic arena, Bernadette has played pivotal roles in both administration and leadership. Notably, she contributed her expertise as a Highridge Teachers College Board Member, rising to the Chair of the Board of Governors. She also served on several boards of governors, particularly, Our Lady of Mercy Secondary and Arya Secondary School. She moved on to undertake the position of Founder Chair at Regina Pacis College, an integral constituent of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). In her early career years, Bernadette also held the respected position of Headmistress at Sing’ore Girls’ Secondary in Elgeyo Marakwet County in Rift Valley, further showcasing her dedication to advancing educational excellence.
Bernadette’s steadfast commitment to shaping national-level policy and governance shines through her pivotal role as Chair of the selection panel tasked with identifying and vetting candidates for the crucial positions of Chair and Commissioners within the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in 2016. Distinctly, her appointment to this nine-member panel was a testament to the confidence she inspires among leaders which served until the end of term. She represented the Kenya Catholic Conference of Bishops (KCCB). This appointment not only underscored her competence and integrity but also highlighted her deep-rooted dedication to public service.
Further to this commitment, Bernadette is Chair of the Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya) Board of Directors, a post she has held since 2017. TI-Kenya is one of the autonomous chapters of the global Transparency International movement bound by a common vision of a corruption-free society. As Board Chair, Bernadette provides strategic and policy direction and oversight for the institution. She skilfully leads a team that candidly and adeptly addresses matters of public concern related to the judicious use of public resources and issues about leadership and integrity. Bernadette has brought a fresh perspective to the role. She continues to guide the organisation in formulating policies that not only uphold TI-Kenya’s mandate but also ensure its continued relevance in the Kenyan context.
Through Bernadette’s visionary leadership, TI-Kenya has established governance structures that have strengthened institutional sustainability and enabled it to initiate and maintain anti-corruption initiatives that have propelled advocacy for good governance in Kenya. Given her previous experience in the public and private sectors, she is instrumental in mobilising resources for the institution, and in initiating and sustaining external relationships that have advanced TI-Kenya interventions.
Bernadette is an alumna of the celebrated Loreto Limuru Girls School, renowned for its commitment to providing sound values-based education. In her early education, she attended St. Brigid in Kiminini. Regarding her higher education, Bernadette pursued her studies both locally and internationally, earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a Master of Arts (MA) degree with a specialisation in cooperative studies. She also attained professional qualifications in marketing, insurance and adult education. During her schooling days, Bernadette demonstrated a keen interest in debating, community outreach, athletics, and hockey where she was either appointed or elected to be in leadership positions. Additionally, she actively participated as a member of the Young Catholic Students (YCS).
As a devout Catholic, Bernadette brings a strong ethical foundation to her leadership roles, further emphasising her commitment to upholding the values of fairness and justice in governance.
