Dean, School of Business and Economics
Dr. Athanas Osiemo Kengere is an accomplished academic, finance professional,
researcher, and management consultant with more than 35 years of experience in
higher education, corporate finance, accounting, auditing, taxation, corporate
governance, procurement, logistics, and strategic management. His career reflects a
unique integration of academic scholarship and extensive leadership across both the
private sector and higher education institutions in East Africa.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Finance from the Open University of Tanzania, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from Kenyatta
University, and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Nairobi. He also completed doctoral coursework in Finance and Banking at Mount Kenya
University. Professionally, he is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K), a Certified Public Secretary (CPS-K), and a member of the Institute of Certified Public
Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).
Dr. Kengere has served as a university lecturer since 2010, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate programs in accounting, finance, taxation, auditing, investment analysis, financial management, strategic management, corporate governance, research methods, and public finance. He has taught at Kenyatta University (Kenya), the Institute of Agriculture and Technology University (Rwanda), Mount Kenya University (Rwanda), among others. He has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and has contributed to curriculum development, examination setting, quality assurance, and postgraduate mentorship.
Before joining academia, Dr. Kengere built an extensive corporate career spanning over two decades with leading multinational and regional organizations, including Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Lever Brothers (Unilever), Unilever Tea Kenya, Pan African Paper Mills, and Botanical Extracts EPZ. During this period, he held senior management positions such as Finance Manager, Internal Audit Manager, Company Secretary, Logistics Manager, Project Accountant, Management Accountant, and Finance and Administration Manager. His responsibilities included financial planning and analysis, internal auditing, budgeting, treasury management, procurement, inventory control,
logistics management, corporate governance, risk management, and strategic planning.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kengere has demonstrated strong leadership in developing financial management systems, strengthening internal control frameworks,
implementing governance structures, improving organizational performance, and mentoring finance professionals and students. His multidisciplinary experience enables him to bridge theoretical concepts with practical business applications, enriching both classroom instruction and executive consultancy.
His academic and professional interests include:
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Management
- Advanced Financial Reporting
- Auditing and Assurance
- Taxation and Public Finance
- Corporate Governance
- Investment and Portfolio Management
- Risk Management
- Strategic Management
- Public Sector Financial Management
- Procurement and Supply Chain Management
- Research Methodology
- Sustainability and ESG Finance
Dr Kengere has developed extensive expertise in designing competency-based curricula, preparing master-level teaching materials, supervising graduate research, and developing examination and assessment frameworks. His work emphasizes analytical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, ethical leadership, and the practical application of finance and accounting principles to organizational performance.
Beyond teaching and research, he serves as an academic advisor, research supervisor, curriculum developer, examiner, and management consultant. He has successfully guided organizations in strengthening financial governance, internal controls, budgeting systems, procurement processes, and strategic planning while supporting capacity building across both public and private institutions.
Known for his integrity, professionalism, analytical skills, and commitment to academic excellence, Dr. Kengere continues to contribute to higher education, professional development, and consultancy across East Africa through teaching, research, mentorship, and policy-oriented advisory services.