H.E. Ambassador Dr. Andrew Karanja – Head of Mission
Amb. Dr. Andrew Karanja is a seasoned professional with a distinguished career spanning approximately 38 years in research, development and leadership.
Throughout his career he has held various positions, including serving as Senior Agricultural Economist/Researcher at the then Coffee Research Foundation, a senior research fellow at Egerton University Tegemeo Institute, and as a senior Agricultural Economist and task team leader at the world bank in charge of rural development programs in Kenya and east Africa region.
In the recent past, he has worked as a member of the Presidential Task Force (TF) on coffee reforms and the national committee appointed to implement the TF recommendations. Prior to his appointment as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil he served as a Cabinet Secretary (minister) for Agriculture and Livestock Development. During his tenure as Cabinet Secretary he also served as a member of the East African Community (EAC) Advisory Council between EAC the European Union and a trustee of the National Resettlement Fund.
Dr. Karanja has undertaken numerous consultancies with international agencies and participated as a facilitator and resource person in various courses and seminars organized by consultancy firms, private and public institutions on various socio-economic issues. He has supervised post graduate students in local and foreign universities. He has published over thirty (30) papers and book chapters in both international and local publications. He has been given several awards and fellowships. In performance of his duties, Dr. Karanja is widely travelled in Africa, Europe and Americas. He has attended many international meetings and conferences. Some of the countries in which Dr. Karanja has undertaken assignments include Kenya, USA, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Ghana.
Amb. Karanja holds a doctorate degree (PhD) in development economics from Wageningen University (Netherlands), a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Agricultural Economics and Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in agriculture, both from University of Nairobi. He has also undertaken many other short courses. He has been a chairman and board member various schools, charitable organisations and private companies’ boards.