REREC CEO Rose Mkalama honoured at East Africa Leadership Awards

Eighty CEOs and senior leaders have been recognised for their contributions to institutional development and social and economic transformation in Kenya.

The leaders were honoured during the second East Africa Leadership Awards, which brought together senior figures from public institutions, private organisations and academia.

Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) CEO Dr Rose Mkalama was named CEO of the Year for her leadership in advancing the Last Mile Connectivity Programme.

Mkalama said the recognition reflected the impact of REREC's work in expanding electricity access to communities across the country.

“I am humbled that my organisation has been able to touch thousands of Kenyans in almost every village in this country through the Last Mile Connectivity,” she said.

She said 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.

Official government figures indicate that electricity access in Kenya has increased from 27 per cent in 2013 to more than 76 per cent, expanding access to households and public institutions.

The expansion of electricity infrastructure has also supported services and economic activities in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture and small businesses.

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.

Mount Kenya University's Professor Bindu Madhavi was recognised as the Most Influential Professor for her work in education, research, mentorship and pharmaceutical science.

The awards were adjudicated by a jury drawn from the World Human Resource Congress, human-resource experts from India and community-service leaders.

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.