Board Chairman KMFRI Board of Management Organic Chemistry & Governance State Corporation Governance • Public Sector Leadership • Science Policy Email: chairman@kmfri.go.ke Notable Recognition Kenya Book of Records – First Kenyan woman to obtain a doctorate in Chemistry Current Role Commissioner, Homabay County Revenue Board (Chair – Human Resource Committee) Professional Bodies NAPRECA • I.U.P.A.C. • Kenya Chemical Society • National Steering Committee for Science & Technology Parks | Leadership Philosophy: Strategic governance, institutional transformation, and empowering the next generation of scientists – bringing decades of public sector, academic, and diplomatic expertise to steer KMFRI's blue economy agenda. Amb. Dr. Wenwa Akinyi Oranga is the Chairman of the Board of Management at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). A retired Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry from the University of Nairobi, she also served as a former Consul General at the Kenya Consulate in Los Angeles, USA. Her distinguished career bridges science, diplomacy, and public sector transformation. Dr. Oranga began her career at the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya in Nakuru, where she rose from Senior Chemist (Research & Development) to become Chief Chemist — the first woman to lead a department at the organization. She later joined the Commission for Higher Education in Kenya, overseeing the Universities Accreditation section and curriculum development for private universities in the country. Her governance experience spans multiple state corporations and educational institutions. She served two terms on the Board of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), chairing the Scientific Research and Innovation Committee, the Human Resource Committee, and the Finance and Development Committee. She has also served on the Kenya National Archives Board, Bondo Technical Training Institute (as Development Committee Chair), Maseno School Board, and mentors UGUNJA TVET as Development Committee Chair. She is Patron of Atilili School (Bondo) and Nyatindo School (Oyugis, Homabay County). Governance & Board Expertise MWONGOZO Training (SCAC) Financial Management HR & Auditing Procurement Policies Staff Recruitment & Promotions Board Charter Development Key Leadership Roles & Engagements - Secretary for Maendeleo Ya Wanawake (Rachuonyo District) – women's empowerment body
- Treasurer – Nyanza Professional Caucus
- Director – Pan African Petroleum
- Trustee – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation
- Chairperson – Staff Welfare, Agricultural Shows, and Student Guidance/Counseling Committee
- Member – Technical Committee of the Nyanza Education Initiative
- Member – Council of the Kenya National Archives
- Member – National Steering Committee for the Development of Science and Technology Parks
Board & Community Service Highlights Served two terms on KEMRI Board – Chaired Scientific Research & Innovation Committee, Human Resource Committee, and Finance & Development Committee. Board member – Kenya National Archives, Bondo Technical Training Institute (2 terms), Maseno School; Patron of Atilili School & Nyatindo School. Commissioner, Homabay County Revenue Board (appointed February 2023) – Chair of HR Committee, overseeing county health revenue stream and Rachuonyo South sub-county. |
