Dr. Margaret Karungaru was appointed to the National Gender and Equality Commission on 25th April 2023 by His Excellency William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya. She was sworn in on the same day by Her Ladyship Martha K. Koome, Chief Justice and the president of the Supreme Court of Kenya.
Dr. Karungaru is an alumna of Alliance Girls High School and an alumna of the University of Nairobi and University of London from where she graduated with a Bachelor of Education Hons. and a Masters in International Relations respectively.
She has an extensive professional experience as a Board Director with significant leadership accomplishments in business and philanthropy. She has a natural affinity for cultivating relationships, peace brokerage, advocating for gender equality and inclusion as well as persuading, convening, facilitating and building consensus among diverse individuals. She applies qualities of integrity, credibility and a passion for progress; to strategic governance governance efforts.
She was the First 1st lady of Nyeri County and the Director of Amani Empowerment Foundation through which she interacted with the community on matters Empowerment, Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality and Inclusion, among other issues directly affecting the community. In her quest to promote poverty eradication and community empowerment, she partnered with AMREF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through JAPHIEGO, COCACOLA Africa among other stakeholders and development partners.She led a delegation of County First Ladies on a benchmarking trip to Washington DC where they engaged with the Congress, Howard University, the 1st Lady of Atlanta among other world leaders.
Dr. Karungaru has served in the National Board of Kenya Girl Guides Association. She also served as the chairperson of Maendeleo Ya Wanawake- Nyeri County where she was awarded a certificate of recognition for her exemplary leadership skills in promoting the welfare of women. She also served as the patron of Karatina Children’s Home for over ten years. She is currently serving as the Regional Economic Bloc coordinator – Central Region for Women in Business (WIB). She won the 2021-2022 top 100 International Business Style East Africa Award. She is a Clean Content Ambassador at the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) and also a member of Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF). Dr Karungaru is also a life member of Kenya Red Cross- Nyeri Branch
Dr. Karungaru received international recognition for her humanitarian and philanthropic work amongst women, the youth, Survivors of Gender-Based Violence, Persons with Disabilities, orphans and marginalised persons in the society in 2022. She was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in community Service and Development for her vital role in spreading great services for priesthood, knowledge, social and humanitarian aid by Kingdom University International, USA. Dr. Karungaru brings to the National Gender and Equality Commission a wealth of knowledge and experience in matters Gender Equality and Inclusion