About Us

The Institute of Public Policy & Governance (IPPG) is a research hub at the Strathmore University Business School (SBS), that aims to contribute to informed public policy for better governance in East Africa. 

We are committed to driving excellence in public policy and governance through provision of the highest standards of research, executive education and advocacy.

Our aims are to:

  • Investigate and analyse questions relating to public policy at the interface between government and business. 
  • Propose evidence-based solutions to major policy challenges facing the people, businesses and governments in East Africa.
  • Disseminate research findings to key stakeholders including governments, the media, the private sector, development agencies and the general public with a view to shaping policy outcomes.
  • Design and implement projects that demonstrate best practices in leadership and problem-solving for the public good.

Key Thematic Areas

IPPG focuses on questions of public policy and governance at the interface between business and government, at the local, national and international levels. 

In brief, our key thematic areas are:

  • Devolution & Public Finance
  • Trade & Industry
  • Digital Economy
  • Sustainable Development 

Public Finance & Devolution

On Public Finance, we assess the national fiscal policy and how it maps on to the national fiscal strategy and national development plans. We also consider important governance aspects relating to: 

  • Public Finance Management 
  • Public sector management (including levels of utilization and wastage)
  • Scrutiny & Oversight (Control of budget, audit and legislative effectiveness)
  • Corruption
  • Devolution

Our Public Finance & Devolution experts are

Dr T K Kibua

Trade & Industry Policy

On Trade and Investment, we examine the competitiveness of the countries in the East Africa region, in the region on the continent and globally. 

At the country level, we consider the competitiveness of each country using (but also challenging) some of the standard measures such as the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business. We also consider how countries are making use of resources available to them, internally and externally, to enhance their competitiveness and their ability to attract private capital for investment and development financing especially in the forms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Blended Finance and Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). We also consider the implications of these issues at the county level. 

We examine the regulation of businesses and markets. Studies have shown that a good investment climate, which addresses the local institutional, regulatory and policy environment in which firms operate, stimulates economic growth by providing firms with the incentive to invest and improve productivity. We examine the role of institutions (“ the rules of the game”) in enhancing or deterring investment in countries in East Africa. 

At the regional level, we consider some of the key policy issues facing efforts by African countries to integrate their economies including both tariff and non-tariff barriers. 

At the international level, we consider how individual countries and regional trading blocs engage with their trading partners at the global level, in light of global agencies such as the WTO and other trading blocs like the European Union.

PPP Team

Dr Edwin Orero

Peter Atinga 

Prof Tom Ross

Digital Economy

Digital technologies have not only become crucial to the ways that we live our lives, they have also become crucial tools for the management of public affairs and important avenues for development. 

It has been noted that the digital economy can be a driver for inclusive growth, job creation and sustainable development. However, for digital technology to deliver on those aims, it is crucial for leaders to address the most compelling challenges limiting their potential especially:  

  1. The digital divide
  2. Limited regulatory systems; and 
  3. Limited digital literacy and skills. 

In this thematic area, we consider the following major areas:

  • Regulation of the Digital Economy: Exploring the regulatory frameworks required to maximise the benefits of digital technologies
  • Digital Technologies and Service Provision: Examining how governments can use digital technologies to improve policy outcomes for all
  • Trust and Cybersecurity: Examining how cybersecurity policies and strategies could mitigate cyber risks while also building resilience and trust in digital technologies

Our Key experts here in the area of Trade & Investments are:

John Sergon 

Muriuki Mureithi

Sustainable Development

Our Sustainability work is carried out under the Center for Sustainability Leadership (CSL), which was launched in 2016, to generate and disseminate knowledge and information for an evidence-based approach to sustainable development from an African context.

The Center’s main goal is to support the private and public sectors in building their capacity to develop and implement innovative sustainable solutions for Africa’s development needs, while undertaking research to support evidence-based decision-making, and promoting cooperation to foster innovation.

Our Key experts here in the area of Trade & Investments are:

Dr Kamau Wairuri

Dr Mumbi Maria

Executive Education

Executive education programs are designed to cater for the training needs of organisations and professionals in the public, private,and not-for-profit sectors by expanding and deepening their knowledge of public affairs issues, policy design and implementation as well as leadership and governance in the public sector. 

We run several open programs which enroll individual students but we also run customised programmes tailored towards the specific needs of an institution. 

Open Programs

Public Policy Executive Programme (5 day course)

The Public Policy Executive Program (PPEP), is a 5-day course that is designed to enable middle and senior-level officers in public, private and social sectors to participate effectively in the successful development, implementation and evaluation of public policies. 

The course targets middle and senior-level officers in the public, and social sector who are involved in the design or execution of public policy. It is also relevant for private sector leaders who engage with the government as part of their job.

The programme heavily employs the case methodology as a learning technique that gives participants a chance to analyze real-life experiences in the design of  public policy, engagement with various stakeholders including negotiation as well as the implementation and evaluation of public policy. 

Cost: Kshs. 100,000

Digital Governance Executive Programme (5 day course)

Digital technologies have become a critical part of the way that we live our lives, including how we run our economies and manage public affairs. As a result, many people who are in leadership positions in organizations in the public sector are required to increasingly rely on digital technology to deliver on their mandate. 

The Digital Governance Executive Program is geared towards giving leaders, both management and boards, in the public and social sectors, the tools they require to be able to offer leadership in an increasingly digitizing world.

The course explores the relevant foundational elements of digital leadership and governance including the ICT Legal and Regulatory framework, effective digital strategy for organisations, Cyber Security, Data Protection, emerging technologies (the 4th Industrial Revolution, e.g. Internet of Things, digital marketplaces), Risk and Digital Innovation in the Public Sector (service delivery).  

The program targets middle to senior leaders in the public and social sectors as well as those in the private sector who interact with government on ICT matters, for example as suppliers and consultants. 

The programme heavily employs the case methodology as a learning technique, designed to give participants an environment to analyze real issues relating to Digital Governance.

Cost: Kshs. 100,000

Public Private Partnerships Executive Programme

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are an alternative mechanism, used by governments, for procuring, delivering, financing and managing public infrastructure and services.

The PPP Executive Programme is a 3-day Foundation course which introduces the PPP concept to participants as an option to procure and manage infrastructure, explores the  features and relevance of a proper PPP framework, examines the entire PPP process cycle and evaluates PPP projects.

This course targets National and County Government officers, State corporation managers, private practitioners, technical consultants, and other interested professionals currently involved or planning to be involved in PPP projects.

The delivery of the course employs a combination of interactive lectures, discussions and case studies delivered by PPP experts (both academics and practitioners). The case methodology as a learning technique gives participants a chance to analyse real PPP scenarios, discuss project preparation and implementation challenges, and participate in collaborative problem-solving.

Cost: Kshs. 100,000

Our Projects & Partnerships

Past Projects

Research Project: Millennials in the Kenyan Workplace

We were contracted by the NextGen Business Talks, supported by the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF), to conduct a study on Millennials in the workplace. We conducted a survey amongst millennials, analysed the data and developed a report from the study. We then hosted the launch event of the report on 23 Nov 2016. 

International Course: “The Role of Public Policy in Private Sector Development.” 

In 2016, we partnered with The Leadership Academy for Development (LAD), an affiliate of the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) to deliver the International Course “The Role of Public Policy in Private Sector Development.” 

The 4-day intensive programme, which brought together participants from the East African region, examined the ways in which Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) provide opportunities for governments to meet investment needs and service delivery ambitions in an effective and efficient manner, while spreading their spending over longer periods.

The Team

Management Team 

Dr Kamau Wairuri, Director

Dr Kamau Wairuri is a researcher, educator and policy consultant with expertise and experience in public policy matters, especially social policy, governance, and development. Presently, he is a lecturer in criminology at Edinburgh Napier University (Edinburgh, United Kingdom) and the Director of the Institute of Public Policy and Governance at the Strathmore University Business School (Nairobi, Kenya). In this role, he oversees the day-to-day running of the institute and provides leadership and guidance on the executive education programs, partnerships and research projects.

Kamau holds a PhD in African Studies from the University of Edinburgh, an MSc in African Studies from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Arts degree (Political Science and Sociology) from the University of Nairobi.

Maryann Maina, Head of Public Sector Programs

Maryann Maina is an organizational capacity-building expert supporting leadership development in public, private and international organizations in Kenya. She has keen interest in organization development, gender, and healthcare matters. As the Head of Public Sector, she oversees the product and business strategy of IPPG.

Maryann holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) degree from the University of Nairobi and a Certificate in Program for Management Development from Strathmore University Business School and Gordon School of Business Sciences.  She is a certified coach by ICF. She is presently completing a Master’s Degree in Organization Development at the United States International University (USIU).  

Linet Njuki, Business Development Manager

Miss Linet Mukami is a seasoned program manager with 15 years of demonstrated experience in the financial, agribusiness, media, and educational sectors. Presently, she is the Program Manager for Public Policy Programs at the Institute of Public Policy and Governance, at the Strathmore Business School. In her role, she manages executive programs, research projects and policy dialogues at the institute.

Over the period she has worked at the institute, Linet has gained experience in projects and programs cutting across multiple thematic areas including agriculture, trade & investment, cyber security, gender equality, and youth affairs,and sustainability. She has worked with clients and partners in the public, development and private sectors.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi and CPS 4 from KASNEB.