The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) CEO, Dr Rose Mkalama, has been recognised as CEO of the Year at the second East Africa Leadership Awards. The awards ceremony brought together senior figures from public institutions, private organisations, and academia to honour leaders who have made significant contributions to institutional development and social and economic transformation in Kenya.
A total of 80 CEOs and senior leaders were recognised during the ceremony. Dr Mkalama's award was in recognition of her leadership in advancing the Last Mile Connectivity Programme, which aims to expand electricity access to communities across the country. The programme has made significant progress, with electricity access in Kenya increasing from 27 per cent in 2013 to more than 76 per cent.
Dr Mkalama attributed the recognition to the impact of REREC's work in expanding electricity access to communities across the country. She stated that REREC had grown from a period when electricity connectivity stood at about four per cent, with government funding and collaboration with Members of Parliament helping the corporation expand electricity infrastructure across the country's 290 constituencies.
The expansion of electricity infrastructure has supported services and economic activities in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and small businesses. The growth in electricity access has also had a positive impact on households and public institutions. Dr Lilian Nyawada, Commissioner for Customs and Border Control at the Kenya Revenue Authority, and Dr David Okeyo, CEO of the Kenya Nutrition and Dieticians Institute, were also among leaders who received top honours during the awards.
The awards were adjudicated by a jury drawn from the World Human Resource Congress, human-resource experts from India, and community-service leaders. The ceremony's chief guest, Isaac Mwaura, Head of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Disability Rights in the Executive Office of the President, urged leaders to focus on developing their employees and strengthening institutions.
Mwaura challenged institutional leaders to consider the legacy they would leave behind, saying effective leadership should extend beyond individual achievements to building institutions capable of delivering lasting impact. The awards highlighted leadership across different sectors, with organisers emphasising the role of senior leaders in developing people, strengthening institutions, and creating opportunities for future generations.
Other notable awardees included Mount Kenya University's Professor Bindu Madhavi, who was recognised as the Most Influential Professor for her work in education, research, mentorship, and pharmaceutical science. The recognition of Dr Mkalama and other leaders serves as a testament to the impact of effective leadership in driving institutional development and social and economic transformation in Kenya.
Key points
- Dr Rose Mkalama was named CEO of the Year for her leadership in advancing the Last Mile Connectivity Programme.
- Electricity access in Kenya has increased from 27 per cent in 2013 to more than 76 per cent.
- The East Africa Leadership Awards recognised 80 CEOs and senior leaders for their contributions to institutional development and social and economic transformation in Kenya.
