Transforming Education Through Leadership: Prof. Kellen Kiambati
Transforming Education Through Leadership: Prof. Kellen Kiambati
Prof. Kellen Kiambati is no stranger to leadership, innovation, or the pursuit of meaningful change in education. As a Professor of Strategic Management and the Director of Resource Mobilization and International Programs at Karatina University, her work has always revolved around creating systems that matter. Recently, her decision to take part in the Certificate in Educational Management, Leadership and Administration by eMsingi only strengthened her mission: to transform institutions through reflective, practical, and values-driven leadership.
A Transformational Leader and Systemic Change Designer
When asked to describe herself, Prof. Kiambati confidently uses the word transformational. Her approach to leadership goes beyond administrative checklists; she considers herself a systemic change designer, constantly asking: “What if we did things differently?” She thrives in environments that demand creativity, bold thinking, and sustainability.
It is this mindset that led her to join the eMsingi course, a three-month, self-paced online program that merges theory with practice in the realm of educational leadership.
Why She Chose eMsingi
Prof. Kiambati learned about the course through her alumni network at Strathmore University, where she has completed multiple executive programs. The course’s focus on leadership and administration in education aligned perfectly with her ongoing research work and current role. What caught her attention wasn’t just the course outline it was the opportunity to translate theory into real-world practice at a time when universities are preparing to receive Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) learners.
“The course came at the right time,” she says. “I was sitting on several critical committees focused on policy development and CBC implementation. The knowledge I gained helped me co-create solutions with colleagues and apply data-driven decision-making techniques.”
Learning That Fits a Busy Leader’s Life
Despite her packed schedule, Prof. Kiambati appreciated the flexibility the course oLered. The self-paced format allowed her to log in early in the morning or late at night, engaging with case studies, video lectures, and virtual discussions at her own rhythm. This accessibility made it possible for her to balance her leadership responsibilities with her personal development.
A particular strength of the course, she notes, was the structure of the content. The way each module was logically arranged with videos, discussions, and practical applications mirrored the kind of pedagogical design she now aims to emulate in her own teaching.
Real Conversations. Real Impact.
The virtual discussion forums every two weeks were a highlight. Prof. Kiambati was even instrumental in adjusting the meeting times to suit participants better, suggesting a shift from 5pm to 7pm a change that significantly improved engagement.
She fondly remembers how the course’s topics mirrored real-time issues unfolding in Kenyan higher education. This synchronicity allowed the cohort to draw direct connections between course material and institutional challenges, leading to powerful conversations and actionable solutions.
Leadership Lessons and Lifelong Shifts
While Prof. Kiambati found every module enriching, she highlighted several key takeaways:
- Emotional intelligence as a tool for managing people and decisions.
- Using data and adaptive thinking in leadership.
- The power of credibility in leadership: “If people do not find you to be credible, they will not trust you,” she emphasized. “Leadership is not just about influence it is about integrity and trust.”
These insights are now influencing not only how she leads but how she mentors her team and contributes to national education policy.
Practicing What She Preaches
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Prof. Kiambati’s journey is her commitment to collective growth. Not only did she enroll in the course she also encouraged and recruited three colleagues to join her. Together, they formed a support group to keep each other accountable and ensure everyone completed the program.
“That’s leadership in practice,” she smiled. “We’re not just learning leadership, we’re living it.”
Prof. Kellen Kiambati embodies the kind of leadership the education sector needs today bold, reflective, grounded in values, and focused on systemic transformation. Through the eMsingi course, she not only sharpened her leadership edge but actively applied what she learned to shape policy, mentor peers, and enrich student learning.
In a world that increasingly demands job creators over job seekers, and transformation over tradition, leaders like Prof. Kiambati are a beacon of what is possible when learning and leadership come together with purpose.