Eddah Wacheke Gachukia (also Eddah Waceke Gachukia; born 13 July 1936) is a Kenyan educationist and entrepreneur. She is a co-founder of the Riara Group of Schools that includes

Riara University Riara University is a Private University located along Mbagathi Way in Nairobi, Kenya. Location The university's main campus is just next to Nyayo Highrise Estate in Kibera, Nairobi County, a fifteen minutes drive from Nairobi Central Bus ...

Early life

Eddah was born on 13 July 1936.

Work and tertiary education

After graduating with a diploma in teaching from

Makerere University Makerere University, Kampala (; Mak) is Uganda's largest and oldest institution of higher learning, first established as a technical school in 1922. It became an independent national university in 1970. Today, Makerere University is composed of ni ...

, Eddah joined Thika High School in 1960 and taught for 3 years. She enrolled for a course in language teaching at

Leeds University , mottoeng = And knowledge will be increased , established = 1831 – Leeds School of Medicine1874 – Yorkshire College of Science1884 - Yorkshire College1887 – affiliated to the federal Victoria University1904 – University of Leeds , ...

. Subsequently, she was appointed Head of the General Methods Section at the Kenya Institute of Education with a focus on Curriculum Research and Development where she served between 1965 and 1968. She joined the University of Nairobi and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1971 and a Ph.D. in 1973. She lectured at the University of Nairobi from 1973 to 1987 and obtained a Ph.D. in Literature in 1981. Between 1993 and 1998, Eddah was the Founding Executive Director of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE). She was the Chairperson of the African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) between 1988 and 1992. Other offices Eddah has held include: * National Advisor to

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

on Population Information and Development Communication for Kenya * Chairperson of the Board of Governors at the Kenya High School * Chairperson at

Uchumi Supermarkets Uchumi Supermarkets, often referred to simply as Uchumi, is a Kenyan supermarket chain. The word means "economy" in Swahili. Overview Uchumi is headquartered in Kenya. , Uchumi is one of a number of Kenyan supermarket chains that serve Kenya, ...

* Chairperson at the

National Council of Women of Kenya The National Council of Women of Kenya (NCWK) was founded in 1964 to provide coordination among the various women's groups in Kenya. These included groups as varied as the National Nurses Union, Nairobi Business Women, East African Women's League, ...

* Member of the Board at

Kenya Airways Kenya Airways Ltd., more commonly known as Kenya Airways, is the flag carrier airline of Kenya. The company was founded in 1977, after the dissolution of East African Airways. Its head office is located in Embakasi, Nairobi, with its hub at Jo ...

* Member of the Board at Nation Newspapers Limited

Politics

Eddah was a Nominated Member of Parliament between 1974 and 1983.

Riara Group of Schools

In 1974, Eddah and her husband took over a small kindergarten in Nairobi. In 1983, the couple founded Riara Primary School. Eddah's husband Daniel left his job at the East African Industries (now known as Unilever Kenya) to launch the primary school business. Today, the Riara Group of Schools operates two kindergartens, two primary schools, a girl’s secondary school and a university in Nairobi. Eddah serves as the Group's Academic Director.

Personal life

Eddah is married to Daniel K. Gachukia, Chairman and Co-founder of the Riara Group of Schools. They met at the

Nairobi Railway Station Nairobi railway station is a railway station located in Nairobi, Kenya. The station is on the metre gauge Uganda Railway, and previously provided services to Mombasa three times per week. However, in 2017, the new Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge ...

in 1953 as both headed to Makerere University for their diplomas in education. They got married four years later and have four children - Alan, Suzanne, Tony and Juju.

Awards

* Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) Presidential Award * Honorary Doctorate from

Kenyatta University Kenyatta University (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Nairobi County, Kenya. It acquired the status of university in 1985, being the third university after University of Nairobi (1970) and Moi University (1984). As of O ...

References

External links

Riara Group of Schools

Riara University
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gachukia, Eddah 1936 births Living people Makerere University alumni Kenyan educators Fellows of the African Academy of Sciences Honorary Fellows of the African Academy of Sciences