Professor Leah T. Marangu, Ph.D, D.Lit., SS, MBS., OBS.

EFAC Co-Founder

Professor Leah Marangu is renowned educator in Kenya and in the United States. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University, followed by Masters degrees in Education (Northern Illinois University) and Management & Family Environment (Iowa State University), and a Ph.D. in Education (Iowa State).   

Professor Marangu holds several “firsts” as a woman in Kenya. She was the first female university Professor and Vice-Chancellor, and is also the longest-serving Vice-Chancellor in Kenya.  She has been on the forefront of education policy, playing a vital role at government entities including but not limited to: The Commission for Higher Education, The National Council of Science & Technology, Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya Institute of Education, Inter University Council for East Africa, Ministry of Agriculture Extension Education, and Ministry of Energy. 

Professor Marangu is also considered to be one of Kenya's leading humanitarians through her efforts to educate people out of poverty. In addition to Founding EFAC, she has volunteered her time and wisdom with the WHO, UNESCO, USAID, and the ILO.

To honor her incredible contributions to her country, Dr. Marangu was decorated with Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) and Silver Star of Kenya by H.E. President Mwai Kibaki and retired President Daniel Moi. She also received the Order of the Burning Spear by H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta. In 2022, she was awarded the Kenya Eminent Trailblazers Award for her contribution to promoting gender equity & nation building.

Professor Marangu has received several international leadership and character awards from her Alma mater universities and around the world. She is widely travelled and has published more than 50 peer reviewed publications concerning education and poverty eradication.