Isaac Kibwage, Former UoN Principal Serving as the Vice Chancellor of Egerton University

Isaac Kibwage is a former Principal of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Nairobi and the current Vice Chancellor of Egerton University, appointed on October 5, 2021.

Prior to his appointment, Kibwage served as the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, in charge of Administration, Planning and Development, and as a Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the School of Pharmacy at UoN.

Isaac Kibwage also served as the chairman of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. He is also credited for contributing to the WHO technical documents and helping establish the National Drug Quality Control Lab.

Isaac Kibwage Educational Background

Isaac Kibwage did his O-Levels at Nduru Secondary School and later attended Kisii School for his A-Levels, where he sat his exams in 1974.

In 1975, Isaac first joined the University of Nairobi (UoN) and completed his studies in 1979, graduating with a Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree.

In 1980, he joined the University of Nairobi as a graduate student and subsequently went on to the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, where he earned a master’s degree in 1982 and a doctorate in 1985.

In 2011, Isaac completed a Certificate program in Leadership, Management, and Sustainability through Management Sciences for Health.

Additionally, in 2007, he earned a Certificate in Good Governance from the Government Centre for Corporate Governance, and in 1997, a Certificate from Boston University in collaboration with the WHO on Drug Policy Issues.

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Career Background

Isaac has spent over 30 years at the University of Nairobi (UoN), rising through the ranks in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

From 2007 to 2017, he served as the Principal of the College of Health Sciences, the college’s chief administrative and academic head.

Isaac led the School of Pharmacy for three years after previously serving as Acting Dean.

From 1991 to 2004, he chaired the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and headed the Drug Analysis and Research Unit (DARU).

Between 1975 and 1977, Isaac served as an untrained teacher at Menyenya Secondary School.

He chaired the Board of Management of the National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL) from 2005 and the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) for six years and was eventually elected a Fellow (FPSK).

Isaac has served as a consultant to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and has sat on the expert panel on dosage forms.

From May 2017 to October 2021, he was responsible for the university’s physical planning, human resources, and development projects as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Administration, Planning and Development.

In October 2021, Isaac was appointed as the 6th Vice-Chancellor after serving in an acting capacity since January 2021.

Achievements

Isaac was honoured by the President of Kenya with the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) and the Head of State Commendation (HSC) for his distinguished service to the nation.

He is also a Chartered Scientist recognised by the Science Council of the United Kingdom.

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He is credited with the discovery and development of several methods for drug analysis and has published over 80 peer-reviewed scientific papers in international journals.

As Principal of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Nairobi, he oversaw the establishment of the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital and the expansion of the School of Pharmacy.

Isaac was a key architect in drafting Kenya’s National Drug Policy, which laid the groundwork for modern pharmaceutical regulation in the country.

He played a central role in the operationalisation of the National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL), ensuring the safety and quality of medicines entering the Kenyan market.

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