Characteristics of women in management positions in the Kenyan Public Universities: A Case of selected universities in Kenya

Since the 1970’s, women managers experiences and impact on the work place have been the subject of much discussion, investigation and theorizing. While women are joining the managerial ranks in increasing numbers, few women are managing to reach middle level management or above. The main objective of the study was to determine the characteristics of women in management positions in Kenya Public Universities. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study was carried out in Three Kenyan public institutions of higher learning i.e. Kenyatta University, Nairobi University and JKUAT. The study population consisted of all women in managerial positions in all the public institutions of higher learning in Kenya. Stratified and systematic random sampling methods were used to sample the research population consisting of 15 women managers in Kenyatta University, 18 women managers in Nairobi University and 9 women managers at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. The main research instruments used was questionnaires. The findings of the study revealed that the age of most women managers is over 40 years implying that by the time a woman progresses into management she will have advanced in years. It also revealed that most of the women managers in public universities are married and that majority of them have attended management development programs indicating commitment to their career and urge to improve their performance. It also revealed that majority of women managers are in low and middle level management. Very few are in top management.