NAIROBI, Kenya – Veteran diplomat and business leader Dennis Awori has been appointed the new Chancellor of the United States International University–Africa (USIU-Africa), stepping into the role previously held by renowned industrialist Dr. Manu Chandaria.
His five-year term took effect on April 10, 2025, the university’s Board of Trustees announced this week.
“We are honored to welcome Ambassador Dennis Awori as he takes on this esteemed role,” said Prof. Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran, Chairperson of the USIU-Africa Board of Trustees. “His leadership will be instrumental in expanding the university’s impact in higher education across Kenya, Africa, and beyond.”
Diplomatic and Business Expertise
Awori brings to USIU-Africa more than 40 years of experience spanning diplomacy, business, and education.
He is widely recognized for his strategic leadership in sectors as diverse as mobility, healthcare, renewable energy, manufacturing, and vocational training.
He currently serves as the Chairperson and Country Delegate of CFAO Mobility Kenya Limited and CFAO Kenya Limited.
He is also Executive Director at CFAO SAS (Paris), a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation of Japan.
From 2004 to 2009, Awori served as Kenya’s Ambassador to Japan, where he was instrumental in strengthening diplomatic ties and helped establish the Kenyan Embassy in South Korea.
A trained aeronautical engineer, Awori holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manchester.
He has also completed advanced management courses at Ashridge University (UK) and Emory Business College (USA).
Champion of Technical and Vocational Education
Beyond the corporate world, Awori has played a leading role in promoting technical education in Kenya.
He chairs the Governing Council of the Kenya Technical Trainers College (KTTC), which he helped transition into the Kenya School of Technical, Industrial, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training (TVET).
He is also credited with initiating the Toyota Kenya Foundation and the Toyota Kenya Academy, and played a pivotal role in establishing the David Wambuli Technical Training College.
Honoring a Longstanding Legacy
In the same announcement, USIU-Africa paid tribute to outgoing Chancellor Dr. Manu Chandaria, whose involvement with the university spans more than 20 years.
“Dr. Chandaria’s leadership, support, and commitment have set a high standard for the university,” Prof. Oyelaran said. “From his time on the Board of Trustees to his role as Chancellor, and through his endowment of the Chandaria School of Business, we are deeply grateful for his vision and generosity.”
The transition marks a new chapter for USIU-Africa, a university known for its commitment to global standards in education and innovation in the African context.
