The East African Community (EAC) marked a historic moment by appointing Veronica Mueni Nduva as the first ever woman to serve as its Secretary General.
EAC in a statement announced that Nduva was sworn in on Friday, June 8, 2024, at its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania following her nomination.
“23rd Extra-Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State appointed and sworn in Ms. Veronica Mueni Nduva from the Republic of Kenya as the new EAC Secretary General,” read the statement.
President William Ruto back in April nominated Nduva for the appointment as the new Secretary General of the EAC by the Summit of the Heads of States.
In a turn of events, the former Public Service PS was named as the nominee with Ruto naming her as a replacement for Caroline Mwende Mueke, who had been nominated for the post in March.
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EAC Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza revealed the changes made by President Ruto through a letter addressed to Minister for EAC Affairs Chairperson Deng Alor Kuol.
EAC Makes History
Following her appointment, Nduva’s name is now etched in the history books as she now becomes the first woman to serve as EAC’s Secretary-General.
Prior to her appointment, Nduva was serving as the current Principal Secretary for the State Department of Performance and Delivery Management at the Ministry of Public Service.
She assumed the role following the reorganization and reconstitution of Ministries/Departments by President Ruto.
Before the reorganization, Mueni was formerly the Principal Secretary State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action.
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Nduva is an accomplished governance expert and public sector professional with over two decades of career experience across a broad array of sectors including the Kenya Government, East African Community, Kenyan Civil Society and the United States Government.
Veronica Nduva Mueni’s rise
According to her profile, her leadership career started in 2006 where she worked as the National Coordinator – National Policy and Action Plan on Human Rights- at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
After nearly three years, she landed a government a job as the Deputy Director in the Committee of Experts on Constitutional Review in March 2009.
Nduva later joined the East African Community for the first time in 2012 working as a Government Affairs Specialist.
At the United States Department of State, she worked as a Senior Advisor between
Following her exit from the US Department of State, she assumed the role of the PS in the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action in December 2022.
The diplomat has written a number of publications on matters gender, current affairs and global issues highlighting her knowledge on global topical issues and a clear understanding of the public sector and operations, as well as inter-agency collaborations.
Furthermore, she has received awards and recognition for exemplary work in Governance from both local and international institutions. Away from the office Mentorship, Governance training and being outdoors are her major interests.
Before embarking on her career journey, Nduva attended the University of Nairobi (UoN) between 1996 and 2000 where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Public Administration
She also holds a master’s degree in communication from UoN.
EAC’s Leadership
Her appointment at EAC comes after the recall of Dr Peter Mathuki, who had been serving in the role since 2021.
The decision to recall Dr Maluki was made on Friday, July 7, 2023, during an extraordinary summit of the EAC heads of state.
Nduva becomes the seventh official to hold the office and the third Kenyan. Other Kenyans who have served as EAC Secretary General are Francis Muthaura and Dr Peter Mathuki.
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