Professor Margaret Kobia is the Cabinet Minister in Kenya Government in the Ministry of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens, Social Protection and Special Program. She is a full Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship of Kenya School of Government. Professor Kobia Holds a PhD Degree in Human Resource Education of the University of Illinois, M.Ed. of Kenyatta University and B.Ed. of the University of Nairobi. She received her ‘O’ and ‘A’ level education at Alliance Girls High School. Prior to joining the cabinet she was Public Service Commission Chairperson for five years. She was the founding Director General of the Kenya School of Government 2005 to 2012 where she made a profound contribution in transforming the institution into a truly modern Management Development Institute (MDI) leading to the Institute’s elevation to Kenya School of Government. Professor Kobia has taught Management, Entrepreneurship and Research Methods at University level. Between 2011 and 2016, Professor Kobia served as the Chief Editor of the refereed African Journal of Public Administration and Management.

In recognition of her distinguished service and contributions to national development, she was awarded the Order of Grand Warrior (OGW), First Class Order of Chief of Burning Spear (CBS) by the President of Kenya in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Professor Kobia was the winner of the Commonwealth Gordon Draper Award 2010 for her strong leadership and outstanding contributions in improving public administration in the Commonwealth. In 2011, she was honoured by the American Biographical Institute for her dedication and contribution to management in the public service. In 2014, she won a regional recognition as Africa’s most influential woman in Business and Government awarded by CEO Magazine of South Africa. In 2016, she was awarded a higher Head of State Honours of Moran of Golden Heart (MGH) and in 2021 she was awarded the highest Elder of Golden Heart (EGH) for her strong excellent leadership in public service in the area of women in leadership and decision making, prevention and response to Gender Based Violence, promotion of policies on women in peace and security. At the International level, she was a member of the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) (2017 to 2021), that advices UN Economic and Social Council. She was the Vice President of the Commonwealth Association of Public Administration Management (CAPAM) 2010-2017, a member of International Commission on Accreditation of Public Administration Education and Training Programs and Co-chair of the Effective Institutions Platform (EIP). As an active academic, Professor Kobia supervises PhD research students. Her research interests include effective Governance, Promotion of Gender equality and inclusivity and Public Sector Management and Consulting