Margaret Ndungu Biography – Margaret Nyambura Ndungu is one of the 11 cabinet nominees President William Ruto sent to the parliament.
Recall that Kenya’s President dissolved his cabinet from pressures that arose as a result of a violent finance bill protest which rocked the nation.
Early Life and Education
Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u, a prominent figure in the field of digital policy and innovation, has an impressive academic background. She holds a PhD in Information Systems from the University of Nairobi (UoN), where her doctoral thesis focused on the impact of new technologies on the quality of life for low-income households in Kenya. She also earned an MBA in Management Science from University of Nairobi and a BSc in Information Sciences from Moi University. Additionally, she completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria, South Africa.
Career Achievements
Dr. Ndung’u has over 20 years of experience in research and project management across various sectors, including non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and academia. She is currently the Senior Research Manager at the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership (GDIP). Previously, she served as the Senior Internet Governance Expert at the Policy and Regulation Initiative of Digital Africa (PRIDA), a project of the African Union Commission.
Her career highlights include consulting for the Kenya ICT Authority on ICT for Development (ICT4D) and leading Kenya’s partnership with Research ICT Africa. She has also played a strategic role in developing Kenya’s national digital masterplan and the World Bank’s Kenya Digital Economy Assessment report.
Contributions and Publications
Dr. Ndung’u is a prolific author, with numerous publications in journals and books on the use and application of ICTs to promote development and enhance the quality of life. She is a founding member and co-executive director of the Network of African Women in Cybersecurity (NAWC) and contributes to the Editorial Board of Londa, a report focusing on digital rights and inclusion in Africa.
Current Roles and Cabinet Nomination
In addition to her role at GDIP, Dr. Ndung’u lectures part-time at the School of Computing and Informatics at the University of Nairobi. She is also involved in various international digital policy initiatives and is a member of the Policy Network on Meaningful Access, a Multi-stakeholder Working Group of the Global Internet Governance Forum (IGF).
She was also part of the 11 cabinet members nominated by President Ruto and awaiting the parliament’s approval.
Recognition and Impact
Dr. Ndung’u’s work has significantly impacted Kenya’s digital landscape, particularly in promoting digital inclusion and governance. Her efforts have been recognized both nationally and internationally, making her a key figure in the field of ICT and digital policy.