On Wednesday, April 25, President William Ruto presided over the installation of Bernard William Chitunga as the Chancellor of The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) whom he had appointed . At 36 years old, Dr. Chitunga becomes the youngest individual to hold a chancellorship in the country’s history.
The appointment, formalized through Gazette Notice No. 387, took effect on January 10, 2025. Dr. Chitunga succeeds the late Hon. Joseph Nyagah, becoming the institution’s second Chancellor. His five-year term places him at the helm of a university that has played a critical role in Kenya’s cooperative sector and entrepreneurship education.
Dr. Chitunga, a development finance expert, brings a wealth of international experience to the position. He has served in senior roles at prominent global institutions, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), where he worked in the Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Department, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), where he held the position of Partnership Specialist. His professional background reflects a deep engagement with global development policy, infrastructure investment, and multilateral cooperation.
He holds a diverse academic portfolio. Dr. Chitunga earned his Doctor of Management and Doctor of Sustainable Development degrees from institutions in Europe. His postgraduate qualifications include an MBA and multiple certificates from institutions in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Switzerland. His education and training span management, development studies, and policy analysis—disciplines that align with the university’s focus areas in business, cooperatives, and applied sciences.
The Co-operative University of Kenya issued a statement welcoming Dr. Chitunga, expressing optimism about the leadership he brings to the institution. The university highlighted that the appointment reflects a generational shift and a recognition of global experience as a valuable asset to local higher education governance.
In line with his vision, Dr. Chitunga is expected to focus on strengthening research, expanding global academic networks, and advancing industry-linked education models. While he is relatively young compared to previous university chancellors in Kenya, his background underscores a strategic emphasis on merit and international engagement within the current administration’s education reform agenda.
The appointment comes at a time when Kenya’s public universities are grappling with questions around sustainability, funding, and curriculum relevance. Analysts view this move as a signal that the government is open to injecting new energy into the leadership of tertiary institutions, particularly those aligned with national development priorities.
The Co-operative University of Kenya, chartered in 2016, is one of the country’s fastest-growing universities and specializes in cooperative training, entrepreneurship, and applied social sciences. In his new role, Dr. Chitunga is expected to leverage his international experience to advance CUK’s mission, particularly in strengthening the cooperative movement and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
During the installation ceremony, President Ruto emphasized the importance of youthful leadership in national development. He stated, “Chitunga’s elevation to Chancellor role reflects our collective conviction that young people are not merely leaders of tomorrow; they can also lead today.” The President also highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing university debts and implementing a sustainable higher education funding model.
