Professor Wambui Kiai holds the position of Associate Professor and has previously served as the Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (now known as the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication) at the University of Nairobi in Kenya.
Prof. Kiai effectively led the transformation of the school, resulting in significant growth and expansion. During her tenure, the school introduced two undergraduate programs, a PhD program, three diploma programs, and revamped the master’s program. Additionally, the school became a founding member of the Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education (GIfEJE), an initiative originally established by UNESCO (now known as ORBICOM). UNESCO recognized the school in 2007 as one of the top 12 training institutions in Communication and Media in Africa, designating it as a potential Centre of Excellence, the sole one in Kenya. The academic staff also expanded from six to twenty-seven by 2014.
Prof. Kiai has a wealth of experience and accomplishments in the fields of education, training, and research, with expertise in HIV/AIDS communication, health and development communication, gender and socio-legal issues, broadcasting, and specialized writing.
As an author, she has contributed to one book and co-edited four others, all focused on communication and media in relation to the environment, health, conflict, and gender.
Ms. Kiai has worked with various national and international organizations, including UNESCO, the Ford Foundation, UNDP, the Open Society (East Africa), the ORM4Soil Programme, Forest Action Network (FAN), African Itinerant College on Culture and Development (AICCD), and the Centre for Law and Research International (CLARION) on diverse projects. She has garnered extensive experience as a trainer, facilitator, researcher, and organizer of workshops, seminars, and conferences.
She played a key role as a founding member of the Media Council of Kenya from 2008 to 2012, where she represented public universities as a Council Member and chaired the Training and Accreditation Committee. Additionally, she served as a Research Associate of Women and Law in East Africa-Kenya Chapter (WLEA-Kenya), a Board member of the Media Institute, and the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) – Kenya Chapter. She is also a member of the Association of African Women on Research and Development (AAWORD).