Meet The Top 10 Famous University Of Nairobi Alumni

Piece by: Harun Momanyi
Lifestyle

University of Nairobi has been ranked among the top in Africa for a series of years. Earlier this year, it was ranked number 8 in Africa out of the total 63 institutions in the list. This shows that it is one of the best institutions a Kenyan can graduate from. Together with Strathmore University, UON graduates are more preferred in the work place than other Kenyan varsities. This is according to research by HR company Corporate Staffing Services.

Some of the top Kenyan corporate leaders, entertainers, politicians, doctors and entrepreneurs are from UON. Here are some of the most famous UON Alumni.

1. Wangari Maathai

She is one of the most famous environmental conservationists of all time. She late Maathai studied at the University of Nairobi as well as worked as an assistant professor. This was in 1967. She was the assistant professor in the newly established Department of Veterinary Anatomy in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the varsity. Back then, the institution was called University College of Nairobi. She also studied in the U.S. and Germany.

2. Willy Mutunga

CJ Willy Mutunga graduated with a Masters Of Laws Degree from UON in the 1970s. He has been the President of the Supreme Court of Kenya and the Chief Justice since 2011. He also studied at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto, Canada. He is regarded one of the most prolific activists of all time in Kenya.

3. Iman

Supermodel and cosmetics entrepreneur Iman was studied at UON. This is where she was discovered by legendary photographer Peter Beard. She is the owner of IMAN Cosmetics, Skin Care products and fragrances which are in retail stores across the globe. As an accomplished model, she has worked with Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Versace, Saint Laurent and other top luxury fashion brands.

4. Anne Waiguru

She is the current CS, Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning since 25 April 2013. She graduated from UON with a Masters Degree in Economic Policy from UON. Anne has managed to be among the Top 40 Under 40 Women in Kenya. Through Huduma Center, all of the government services are offered under one roof; a more centralized system to say. The brand won at The United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA)for the best service delivery in the world.

5. PLO Lumumba

Regarded as one of the top Kenyan intellectuals of all time. He served as the Chairman of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission between 2010 and 2011. He is the current Director of the Kenya School of Law. Lumumba got both his LL.B and LL.M Degrees in Law at the University of Nairobi and later studied at the University of Ghent in Belgium.

6. Ida Odinga

She is the wife to opposition leader Raila Odinga. She is a Bachelor of Arts graduate from UON (1974). She has worked in the corporate world over the years, including being the MD of East Africa Spectre. She has been named as the second influential woman in Kenya by Standard newspaper (2012). She has been profiled by CNN's Felicia Taylor, who she told that "It's good to be a wife, but it's good to be an educated wife. Being a wife, it's just not a position of subordination -- it's a position of strength."

7. Evans Kidero

He is the current governor of Nairobi. Evans graduated from UON in 1983 with a Pharmacy degree. He went on to get an MBA from USIU in 1990. He was previously the CEO of Mumias Sugar before he joined politics in 2012.

8. Martha Karua

Martha is one of the most prolific Kenyan politicians of our current time. She studied Law at UON from 1977 to 1980. She is also an alumni of the Kenya School of Law. Her career spans from being in charge of the Makadara Law Courts to being the Minister of Justice in the Kibaki government.

9. James Mwangi

The Equity Bank CEO is one of the best corporate heads in Kenya and Africa. He has a BCom Degree from UON. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. In 2012, he was named Forbes African Person of the Year.

10. Avril (singer)

The gorgeous singer is also a UON alumni. Originally from Nakuru, Avril studied Design at UON. She enrolled at the institution in 2006. She is among the Top 40 Under 40 Women in Kenya. She is passionate about humanitarian work and youth mentorship.