Kenyatta University has reaffirmed its long-standing and strategic partnership with the National Bank of Kenya (NBK) following a high-level courtesy call that underscored mutual commitment to sustained collaboration, institutional support, and shared socio-economic impact. The meeting brought together senior university management led by Prof. John Okumu, the Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nelson Wawire, representing the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Finance), alongside Ms. Salome Rwenji, the Deputy Finance Officer, representing Chief Finance Officer, Prof. Mildred Nawiri, Registrar (Corporate Affairs) and Prof. Paul Gachanja, Registrar (Administration and Finance).
The NBK delegation included: Ms. Virginia Karanja, Branch Manager, Kenyatta University, Mr. David Ndome, Regional Manager – Nairobi, an alumnus of Kenyatta University, Mr. Patrick Ikiara, Division Manager at the National Bank of Kenya and Chair of the KU Alumni Interim Board and Ms. Josephine Kalunge, Relationship Manager at NBK.
Discussions centred on strengthening existing areas of cooperation while exploring new opportunities for collaboration. NBK reaffirmed its commitment to continuously support the University, noting its long-standing role in salary processing, student banking services, and the management of capitation funds. The Bank expressed interest in expanding its engagement to support additional institutional needs across the University’s value chain.
A key highlight of the discussions was the unique prison training programme supported by Kenyatta University, with NBK providing financial support to enhance its sustainability and impact. Both institutions acknowledged the programme as a model of meaningful corporate social responsibility aligned with national development goals.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Patrick Ikiara congratulated Prof. Paul Okumu on his appointment as Acting Vice-Chancellor and expressed deep appreciation for the University’s role in shaping his professional journey, noting that “Kenyatta University made me who I am.” He called for deeper cooperation and increased engagement in both existing and new partnership areas.
NBK further highlighted its continued investment in automation and digital banking solutions to enhance efficiency and service delivery across the University ecosystem. Ms. Josephine Kalunge noted the steady growth of the partnership over the years and emphasised the Bank’s proposal to comprehensively support KU’s supply chain, staff, students, and affiliated partners.
From the business perspective, Ms. Virginia Karanja expressed gratitude for the University’s continued trust and collaboration, citing successful CSR initiatives undertaken in late 2025, including hack-based innovation programmes. She reaffirmed NBK’s readiness to deepen engagement as the University advances its digital transformation agenda.
On behalf of the University, Ms. Salome Rwenji commended NBK for its unwavering support to both students and staff, highlighting the strong working relationship and the Bank’s timely assistance during financial shortfalls. These sentiments were echoed by Prof. Paul Gachanja, who acknowledged NBK’s responsiveness and reliability.
Prof. Nelson Wawire lauded the Bank for its patience, efficiency, and solution-oriented approach, noting NBK’s consistent readiness to offer support whenever challenges arise. He emphasised the importance of partnerships anchored on trust and mutual understanding.
Adding a customer-centric perspective, Prof. Mildred Nawiri described the partnership as top-tier, expressing satisfaction with the quality of service and noting the pride of seeing the Kenyatta University brand strongly represented within NBK’s operations.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paul Okumu, appreciated NBK’s involvement in key University programmes, including Career Week, where the Bank has played a significant mentorship role. He thanked the delegation for the courtesy visit and reaffirmed the University’s openness to deeper collaboration.
Further deliberations explored opportunities for youth empowerment programmes, industry-linked research collaborations and the development of a structured Memorandum of Understanding to support University suppliers and ease operational burdens. NBK also commended Kenyatta University for maintaining institutional stability despite prevailing economic challenges, expressing strong commitment to “walk with the University” through continued cooperation. The meeting concluded with a request from NBK for the Bank’s Managing Director to pay a courtesy call on the University, signalling an even stronger phase of engagement between the two institutions.