Veronica Mueni Nduva has become the first woman to serve as Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC). Her appointment was finalized at the 23rd Extraordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha, Tanzania, on June 8, 2024. Nduva succeeds Peter Mathuki, who was reassigned by the Kenyan government to serve as the ambassador to Russia in March 2024.
In a statement released by the EAC, Nduva outlined her vision for her tenure. Her priorities will include strengthening economic integration that encourages innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation in addition to peace and security, she said. She emphasized her commitment to fostering deeper integration and development for the people of East Africa during her interview with Xinhua on Sunday.
Nduva brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Before her appointment, she was the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Performance and Delivery Management in Kenya’s Ministry of Public Service. Her extensive background includes roles as Principal Secretary for the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, and she has been recognized for her governance expertise and public sector contributions.
Her career began in 2006 as the National Coordinator for the National Policy and Action Plan on Human Rights at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. She later served as Deputy Director in the Committee of Experts on Constitutional Review and as a Government Affairs Specialist at the EAC in 2012. Her experience also includes a significant stint as a Senior Advisor at the United States Department of State from 2014 to 2022.
President William Ruto nominated Nduva for the role in April, following the recall of Caroline Mwende Mueke, who had initially been proposed for the position. EAC Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza confirmed the changes in a letter to EAC Affairs Chairperson Deng Alor Kuol.
Nduva’s leadership will focus on advanced social development, particularly empowering women and youth, whom she described as the backbone of society. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Communication from the University of Nairobi.
Her appointment marks a significant milestone for the EAC, which includes eight member countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. As the first woman to hold the Secretary General position, Nduva’s leadership is expected to drive significant progress in the region’s integration and development efforts.