MKU founder Simon Gicharu named Entrepreneur Of The Year

Judy Nyutu (left), the wife of Mount Kenya University founder and chairman Simon Gicharu receives on his behalf the Ernst & Young Eastern Africa Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014 Award from Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed (right) as Gitahi Gachahi, Chief Executive Officer of Ernst & Young's Eastern Africa practice, looks on. The ceremony was held at Crown Plaza Hotel in Nairobi on April 30, 2015. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Mr Gicharu was selected by an independent judging panel made up of entrepreneurs, leading CEOs and regional business leaders.
• He is an educationist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and anti-corruption campaigner.

By MARYANNE GICOBI
More by this Author

Simon Gicharu, the founder of Mount Kenya University, has won the Ernst & Young Eastern Africa Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014 Award.

Mr Gicharu, a leading entrepreneur, was selected by an independent judging panel made up of entrepreneurs, leading CEOs and regional business leaders.

In the emerging entrepreneur category, Alex Nyaga of Parapet Group bagged the award, while Dr Mary Okelo of the Makini Group of Schools took home the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr Okelo was recognised for innovation across several levels at Makini, which was the first school to introduce computers as an educational tool at Primary level.

Mr Gicharu is an educationist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and anti-corruption campaigner.

He holds several chairmanship positions, to which he was either appointed or serves as a volunteer. He also sits on the boards of various organisations including the Thika Water and Sewerage Company.

He is the chairman of the National Private Universities Association of Kenya, and the Rural Electrification Authority.

ADVISORY SUPPORT

Emerging entrepreneur winner Alex Nyaga is the Chief Executive Officer of Parapet Group, a cleaning services company which has been in existence for 16 years.

Further, Mr Nyaga is a trustee of the Kenya Youth Business Trust, an organisation that provides training, funding and advisory support to young entrepreneurs in their first three years of business.

EY’s global Entrepreneur of the Year programme is a business award for entrepreneurs. Recognised globally, the award provides a unique way of encouraging entrepreneurial activity and recognising the contribution of outstanding men and women who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.

EY Entrepreneur of the Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing, and dynamic business, recognising them through regional, national, and global awards programs in 140 cities in 50 countries.