Kagure Wamunyu, is a Kenyan civil engineer, urban planner and the CEO and Co-Founder of Jumba, a construction tech start-up that is simplifying purchase and financing of construction materials in Africa. Previously, Kagure worked as the Global Head of Operations at Kobo360,[1] an African freight logistics startup.[2] She also served as the Senior Director of Strategy for Bridge International Academies in East Africa[3] and as the Country Manager for Uber in Kenya.[4]
Kagure Wamunyu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1989 (age 34–35) Kiambu, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Citizenship | Kenya |
| Alma mater | Alliance Girls High School (High School Diploma) Meredith College (Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics) North Carolina State University (Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering) University of California Berkeley (Master of Science in City and Regional Planning) University of Oxford (Doctor of Philosophy) (In progress) |
| Occupation(s) | Civil engineer, Urban planner, Corporate executive |
| Years active | 2011 – present |
| Known for | Planning skills, Leadership |
| Title | CEO, Africa Region at Kobo360 |
Background and education
editKagure attended Alliance Girls High School, in the town of Kikuyu, in Kiambu County, where she obtained her High School Diploma. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics, from Meredith College in the state of North Carolina, in the United States, obtained in 2013. The same year, she graduated from North Carolina State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree.[5]
She went on to obtain a Master of Science degree in City and Regional Planning, from the University of Berkeley, in 2015. As of November 2018, she was registered as a part-time PhD student at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. Her doctoral focus is Sustainable Urban Development.[5][6]
Her studies in the United States were partly sponsored by scholarships awarded by the Zawadi Africa Education Fund, founded and supported by Dr Susan Mboya, a daughter of the late Tom Mboya, one of Kenya's founding fathers. The Zawadi Fund, an American 501(c)3 non-profit, sponsors academically gifted, disadvantaged rural girls in Kenya, to study in American universities, then return to Kenya and contribute to national development.[7][8]
Work experience
editAfter several part-time engagements in the United States, while at university, Kagure returned to Kenya in 2015. She was appointed as Head of Operations at Uber Kenya, based in Nairobi. After a period of nearly two years in that role, she was promoted to the position of Country Manager for Uber in Kenya, at the age of 27 years.[5][8][9] In August 2017, she left Uber to take up a position as Senior Director of Strategy at Bridge International Academies.[5]
In September 2018, Business Daily Africa, a Kenyan, English language, daily newspaper, named Kagure Wamunyu, among the "Top 40 Under 40 Women in Kenya in 2018".[6]
In March 2019, Kagure joined Kobo360 where she is charged with the launch and growth of the company across Africa.[10][11]
Honors and awards
editShe has been honored with the following awards:[12]
- 2013 Honoree :The Pamela Mboya Award by Zawadi Africa Education Fund
- 2013 Honoree : Who is Who in American Colleges and Universities
- 2011 Honoree : Sharon D. Banks Award by the Women in Transportation Organization
- 2010 Honoree : Outstanding Leadership Award by Meredith International Association.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ James Kariuki (14 August 2019). "Transport techie raises Sh3bn for EA". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Jake Bright (14 August 2019). "Nigerian logistics startup Kobo360 raises $30M backed by Goldman Sachs". TechCrunch. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ The Somo Project (2019). "The Somo Project: Team Members: Board of Directors: Kagure Wamunyu". New York City: The Somo Project Organization. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ Diana Odero (1 December 2016). "Kagure Wamunyu: I always see opposition as an opportunity to grow". She Lads Africa. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d Kagure Wamunyu (2019). "Kagure Wamunyu: Senior Director of Strategy at Bridge International Academies". Linkedin.com. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ a b Nation Media Group (September 2018). "Top 40 Under 40 Women In Kenya, 2018" (PDF). Nairobi: Nation Media Group. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ Muiruri, Billy (30 June 2007). "Pursuing a father's dream". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ a b Diana Odero (2016). "Kagure Wamunyu: I Always See Opposition As An Opportunity To Grow". Lagos: She Leads In Africa Organization. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ Waweru, Nduta (31 August 2015). "Upclose and candid with Uber Kenya's Operations manager". Nairobi: The Star (Kenya). Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ "[Interview] Kagure Wamunyu, CEO, Kobo360, Kenya". Africa Business Communities. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "The Uber of freight services, Kobo360 launches in East Africa". CNBC Africa. 5 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ African Women In Technology (2018). "Kagure Wamunyu: Honors & Awards". African Women In Technology. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
External links
edit- Nairobi’s female slum dwellers march for sanitation and land rights As of 29 October 2014.