Designation

Deputy Vice Chancellor - Teaching and Learning (DVC-T&L)

Previous Titles

• Director Quality Assurance

E-mail Address

dvctl@kcau.ac.ke

Profile

Prof. Renson Muchiri Mwangi, PhD, is an academic leader and scholar of entrepreneurship and business research methods, with over 27 years of experience in university teaching, research, quality assurance and academic administration. He serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Teaching and Learning, at KCA University, where he provides strategic leadership and oversight of all academic affairs. His remit includes quality assurance, programme development and accreditation, student enrolment management and the enhancement of the student academic experience.

Prof. Muchiri brings deep institutional knowledge to the role, having held senior leadership positions at KCA University for nearly two decades. As the founding Director of Research and Extension (2007–2011), he established the University’s research department, led the development of its research policy and founded the KCA Journal of Business Management. He went on to serve as Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research (2012–2017). He then served as Dean of the School of Business (2017–2021), where he expanded the School’s academic programmes, grew its full-time faculty and strengthened online learning through technology. He most recently served as Director of Quality Assurance, overseeing institutional quality management. Before joining KCA University, he lectured at Daystar University and Africa Nazarene University.

An active researcher, Prof. Muchiri has over 40 journal and conference publications in areas including entrepreneurship education, youth entrepreneurship and SME leadership. His work has appeared in the Journal of Small Business Management, the British Educational Research Journal and The Elgar Companion to Management Education and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and his commentary on youth employment has been published in The Conversation. He has won research grants worth over KES 65 million from funders including the British Council, the National Research Fund, TrustAfrica, the International Development Research Centre and the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA). He serves as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Business Ethics and the Journal of Business Venturing Insights, and is a former member of the Journal of Entrepreneurship Education Board of Reviewers.

Prof. Muchiri is committed to developing the next generation of scholars. He has supervised scores of Master’s and four PhD students to completion and mentors junior faculty in research and teaching. He has also facilitated partnerships with international institutions and contributed to research capacity building across private universities in Kenya.

Prof. Muchiri holds a Doctor of Management from the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, USA, where he was a Mandel Scholar and a recipient of the Mitchell V. Morse Memorial Scholarship. He also holds a Master of Science in Statistics and a Bachelor of Education (Science) from Egerton University.

Selected Publications: Books, Refereed publications & Non Refereed publications

• Muthuri, J. N., Kutuk, G., Mwangi, R. M., Muriithi, B., Kamere, G. & Faßbender, K. (2026). Co-creating human-centred climate solutions through challenge-based learning: Insights from Kenya–UK learning and design lab. British Educational Research Journal, 00, 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.70074
• Mwangi, R. M., Muthuri, J.M., & Ntara, C.K., (2026). Transitioning of a business school towards responsible entrepreneurship education. In T. Wall., E. Girei, E. Antonacopoulou, M. Blasco, S. Nkomo, & K. Ogunyemi (Eds), The Elgar Companion to Management Education and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/16-2-01 https://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/RJFA
• Dr. Zipporah Okoth, Prof. Renson Muchiri, Dr. Priscilla Gachigi, Dr. Caroline Ntara, Dr. Mary Mwanzia. Handbook for gender-based violence prevention in higher education institutions in Kenya. KCA University, Kenya. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28467461.v1
• Prof. Renson Muchiri: Co-creating human-centered climate solutions through challenge-based learning: Insights from Kenya-UK Learning and Design Lab. British Educational Research Journal. British Educational Research Journal. https://x.com/Edupapers1/status/2014263096123212060
• Mwangi, R. M.and Rotich, A. (2019). The Effect of Threat of Job Loss on Entrepreneurial Intentions and Gestation Actions, Journal of Small Business Management. Vol. 57(s2), 698-51, doi: 10.1111/jsbm.12515
  https://repository.kcau.ac.ke/handle/123456789/537
• Wamalwa, S. L., and Mwangi, R. M.(in review). Protecting a Legacy – CEO Succession at Safaricom in Kenya. Case Focus Journal, Vol 1 (2).
• Billiah, M. Wario, G., Odhiambo, R., Mwangi R. M.(2020). Influence of Knowledge Mapping on Employee performance in Public Universities in Kenya. International Journal of Management Sciences and Business Research; 9(2) pp. 97-104
  https://repository.kcau.ac.ke/handle/123456789/803
• Oruoch, D. M., and Mwangi, R. M. (2013). Entrepreneurial Intentions in Kenya. In J. H. Westover (Ed), Social entrepreneurship and microfinance(pp. 174 – 189). Common Ground Publishing LLC, Champaign, Illinois, USA
• Billiah, M. Wario, G., Odhiambo, R., Mwangi R. M.(2019). Influence of Employee Competencies Management on Employee Performance in Public Universities in Kenya. European Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 11(21)
  https://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/EJBM/article/view/48912
• Morara, G., Gachunga, H., Odhiambo, R., & Mwangi, R. M.(2019). Influence of supervisor political behavior on dimensions of equity in human resource practices in Kenya’s public sector: The mediating role of proactive work behavior. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6 (1), 245 – 256.
  https://repository.kcau.ac.ke/handle/123456789/805
• Wabala, S. W., Gachunga, H., Odhiambo, R., & Mwangi, R. M.(2019). Effect of Employee Orientation on Performance of Saccos in Kenya: The Moderating Role of Perceived Supervisor Support. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6 (1), 270 – 277.
  https://strategicjournals.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1049/0
• Morara, G., Gachunga, H., Odhiambo, R., and Mwangi, R. M.(2019). Influence of workers’- environment on equity in human resource practices in Kenya’s public sector. The moderating role of organization climate. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6 (1), 257 – 269.
  http://www.strategicjournals.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1048
• Wang’ombe J., Gachunga, H., and Mwangi, R. M.(2017). Effect of Workplace Support on Employee Psychological Empowerment and Innovations in Market and Social Research Firms in Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business and Change Management, Vol. 3(3)
  https://strategicjournals.com/index.php/journal/article/view/501/528
• Wabala, S. W., Gachunga, H., Odhiambo, R., & Mwangi, R. M.(2019). Effect of Employee Taking Charge on the Performance of Saccos In Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6 (1), 278 – 285.
• Wang’ombe J., Gachunga, H., and Mwangi, R. M.(2017). Impact of Training Support on Innovation in Market and Social Research Firms in Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business and Change Management, Vol. 4(3)
• Oruoch, D. M., and Mwangi, R. M. (2007).The factors that facilitate entrepreneurial intentions among the youth and nascent entrepreneurs: Kenyan Case. The International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management, 7(5), 19-28
  https://cgscholar.com/bookstore/works/the-factors-that-facilitate-entrepreneurial-intentions-among-the-youth-and-nascent-entrepreneurs
• Nassiuma, D.K., and Mwangi, R. M.(1999). Weather effects on populations of the golden wing moth (Plusia orichalcea) in Njoro area, Kenya. Egerton University Journal, Science and Technology Series, 2(2), 72-76
  https://www.africabib.org/rec.php?RID=Q00026837&DB=p

Conferences & Chapters

• Factors that influence intention to create social ventures among university students in Kenya, 2017
• Kenya Scholars and Studies Association Annual Conference, September 8-9, 2017, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (Co-authored with, and presented, by Steve Lombo)
• Constructs of Successful SME Leadership in East Africa. Africa Academy of Management (AFAM) 3^rd Biennial Conference, 2016, January 5 -10, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya
• School Leadership and Mathematics Achievement in Kenyan Secondary Schools. Accepted for presentation at American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2013 Annual Conference,
  April 27– Wednesday, May 1,2013 San Francisco, California
• The impact of the threat of retrenchment on entrepreneurial intentions. Annual Summit on Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, 17-18 October 2012 Hilton Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia (co-authored)
• Exploring Mindfulness in Trans-disciplinary Research Settings, International Conference on Engaged Management Scholarship, Weatherhead School of Management, Cleveland, Ohio (June, 2011)
• Role of School Leadership in Mathematics Achievement in Kenya, Mid-Western Educational Research Association Conference, Westin Great Southern Hotel, Columbus, Ohio (2010)
• Factors that facilitate formation of intention to venture among the youth and nascent entrepreneurs. 7^th annual conference of Knowledge, culture and change management, Singapore Management University, Singapore (2007)

Seminars

S/No.	Session	Date	Topic	Presented by
1.	Associate Professorial Seminar	8th October, 2025	Entrepreneurship Education: Fulfilling the Promise	Prof. Renson Muchiri

 

Research Grants

• 2018-2021  Co-investigator: Use of Emerging ICT to Build a Bridge to the Divide between Academic Research and Healthy Living: A Case of Aflatoxin Funded by National Research Fund (NRF) – USD 100,000
• 2013: Principal Investigator, “Constructs of Successful and Sustainable SMEs Leadership in East Africa: A Comparative Study” USD 81,850 funded by ICBE TrustAfrica & IDRC
• 2014 Principal investigator, “Youth entrepreneurship and the cooperative movement in Kenya” USD 53,000 funded by CIC Insurance Group
• 2016:    Won a grant to fund a Faculty Development Project at KCA University funded by Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (USD 13,200)
• 2013 – 2014:  Won a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship for the International Deans’ Course. This was an intensive leadership training for University academic leaders from Africa that took place in Germany, Kenya and Ethiopia (EURO 3,000)
• 2010:  Mitchell V. Morse DM Scholarship (USD 1,000) Award
• 2008 – 2011:   Awarded Mandel/DM Fellowship