Eddah Wacheke Gachukia (also Eddah Waceke Gachukia; born 13 July 1936) is a Kenyan educationist and entrepreneur. She is a co-founder of the Riara Group of Schools that includes Riara University.

Eddah Gachukia
Born
Eddah Gachukia

13 July 1936
Known foreducation, entrepreneur and politics
TitleCo-founder of Riara University

Early life

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Eddah was born on 13 July 1936.[1]

Work and tertiary education

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After graduating with a diploma in teaching from Makerere University, Eddah joined Thika High School in 1960 and taught for 3 years. She enrolled for a course in language teaching at Leeds University. Subsequently, she was appointed Head of the General Methods Section at the Kenya Institute of Education with a focus on Curriculum Research and Development where she served between 1965 and 1968. She joined the University of Nairobi and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1971 and a Ph.D. in 1973. She lectured at the University of Nairobi from 1973 to 1987 and obtained a Ph.D. in Literature in 1981.[2]

Between 1993 and 1998, Eddah was the Founding Executive Director of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE). She was the Chairperson of the African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) between 1988 and 1992.

Other offices Eddah has held include:

Politics

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Eddah was a Nominated Member of Parliament between 1974 and 1983.[2]

Riara Group of Schools

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In 1974, Eddah and her husband took over a small kindergarten in Nairobi. In 1983, the couple founded Riara Primary School. Eddah's husband Daniel left his job at the East African Industries (now known as Unilever Kenya) to launch the primary school business.[2] Today, the Riara Group of Schools operates two kindergartens, two primary schools, a girl’s secondary school and a university in Nairobi. Eddah serves as the Group's Academic Director.

Personal life

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Eddah is married to Daniel K. Gachukia, Chairman and Co-founder of the Riara Group of Schools. They met at the Nairobi Railway Station in 1953 as both attended Makerere University for their diplomas in education. They got married four years later and have four children.[3]

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Award of Honorary Degree" (PDF). Ku.ac.ke. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-09-14. Retrieved 2016-09-11.
  2. ^ a b c "Board of Directors - Riara Group of Schools". Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  3. ^ Editor, Nairobian. "The Immortals: The Gachukias churned out educationists". Retrieved 4 September 2016. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "THE KENYA GAZETTE" (PDF). Kenyalaw.org. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 2016-09-11.
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