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Prof. Paul M. Gachanja is an Associate Professor of Economics and the Current Registrar (Administration and Finance) at Kenyatta University, with over two decades of progressive experience in higher education leadership,
policy-driven research, and academic mentorship.
At the School (Economics) and University levels, Prof. Gachanja has held numerous leadership roles, overseeing strategic planning, curriculum development, University restructuring, and postgraduate mentorship. His commitment to academic excellence and service has seen him rise through the ranks from lecturer to Senior Executive roles, including Chair of the Department of Economic Theory, Dean of the School of Economics, and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration and Finance). In each capacity, Prof. Gachanja has been instrumental in institutional transformation, strategic planning, and financial restructuring. He played a lead role in developing Kenyatta University's Strategic Plan(s) and spearheaded structural reforms that significantly enhanced operational efficiency and financial sustainability.
Prof. Gachanja's academic expertise lies in Productivity and Efficiency Economics, Microeconomic Theory, and Operations Research, particularly in the context of low-income and emerging economies. His research has influenced curriculum design, national development strategies, and regional policy dialogues. He has consulted for continental and international organizations, including the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) and COMESA, and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, books, and policy forums.
Prof. Paul Mwangi Gachanja is a distinguished economist with extensive expertise in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), demonstrated through both advanced professional training and hands-on leadership.
He has completed specialized courses in financial modeling, contract negotiation, fiscal risk management, and legal frameworks for PPPs through institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group, and Kenya’s PPP Unit. Notably, Prof. Gachanja served as the Coordinator of the Kenyatta University Hostels PPP Project, Kenya’s pioneering student accommodation PPP, valued at over USD 52 million. Under his stewardship, the project adopted a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model and received Cabinet approval in 2015, setting a precedent for infrastructure delivery in higher education.
His strategic leadership in structuring, negotiating, and managing PPPs underscores his standing as a trusted advisor in sustainable public-private collaboration.
A lifelong mentor to countless young scholars and innovators, Prof. Gachanja is passionate about shaping Africa’s future through scholarship and leadership. He is deeply committed to nurturing Africa’s next generation of administrators, economists, and public policy thinkers through his structured mentorship programs and informal guidance. Many of his mentees have secured scholarships, global research placements, and leadership roles in academia and government. His mentorship approach blends intellectual rigor with personal growth, reinforcing his belief in education as a force for empowerment and transformation.
Prof. Gachanja holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (First Class Honours), a Master of Arts in Economics, and a Ph.D. in Economics (Kenya / Germany). He continues to champion academic excellence, innovation, institutional excellence & sustainability, and inclusive development through visionary leadership and collaborative engagement locally, regionally, and globally.
Publications
- Gachanja, P.M., et. al., (2023). Table Banking and Women Economic Empowerment in Nakuru County, Kenya. American Journal of Youth and Women 2(2)
- Mugendi, C.N., Gachanja, P.M, & Kiriti T.N., (2020). “Foreign and Domestic Firms Linkages: Kenyan Empirical Sector Analysis LAMBERT Academic Publishing, California.
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Njiraini, P., Omolo, J., & Gachanja, P. (2018). ”Innovation and Micro and Small Enterprises Growth Performance : Evidence from Kenya”, IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319- 7668. Volume 20, Issue 10. Ver. I (October. 2018), PP 09-16. https://doi.org/10.9790/487X-2010010916
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Mbugua, J., Gachanja, P.M, Muli, J.M., & Karagu, S.M., (2018) “Determinants of choice of mobile money transfer service providers in Nairobi County, Kenya” International Journal of Development and Sustainability Vol. 7, No. 11(2018).
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John, M., & Gachanja, P. (2018). ”Mobile Money Transfer Services: an Analysis of Household Choices in Nairobi County, Kenya”, International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management. United Kingdom 6(10), 27–42, October 2018 http://ijecm.co.uk/
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Njaramba, S. G., Gachanja, P. M. & Mugendi, C. (2018) “Dynamic Relationship between the Housing Price and Selected Macroeconomic Variables in Kenya”, Journal of Economics, 2(1), 35-59.
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Njaramba, S. G &Gachanja, P. M. (2018) “The sources of housing prices growth in Kenya”, International Journal of Economics, 3(1), 7-30.
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Njiraini, P., Gachanja, P.M. & Omolo J.O. (2018) “Drivers of technological innovations: Evidence from Kenya’s micro and small enterprises”, International Journal of Current Research, 10, (5), 69942-69946.
- Gachanja, P. and Kinyanjui, G.K (2016) “Household Poverty Determinants in Kenya: A Demographic and Health Survey Wealth Index Approach” The Journal of Pan African Studies Vol. 9, No. 3, pp 52-65.
- Kinyanjui, G.K, Gachanja, P.M, Muchai, J.M (2015) “Technical Efficiency of Hospitals owned by Faith Based Organisations in Kenya” Journal of Pan African Studies Vol. 8, No. 6 September 2015.
- Mutunga, S.L, Minja, D, Gachanja, P (2014) “Resource Configurations on Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Food and Beverage Firms in Kenya: A Resource Based View of the Firm” European Journal of Business and Management Vol. 6 No. 24 pp 147-157.
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Thuku, G.K, Gachanja, P, Obere, O (2013) “Effects of Reforms on Productivity of Coffee in Kenya” International Journal of Business and social science. Vol. 4 No. 15, pp 196-212.
- Mugenda, O, Maina, L and Gachanja, P (2013) “Industries and Communities: Symbiotic dependency and sustainability of the Magana town industrial park in Kenya” Prime journal of social science. Vol. 2(11), ISSN: 2315-5051
- Gachanja, P.M, Mugenda, O.M and Maina, L “Integrating Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Development in Industrialization” International Journal of Science, Commerce and Humanities. Vol. 1 No. 7, pp173-183.
- Gachanja, P , Were, N and Etyang, M (2013) Total Factor Productivity Change In The Kenyan Manufacturing Sector: A Malmquist Index Analysis. Scholar’s press, Duetschland/Germany.
- Mdoe, J.I, Gachanja, P.M, and Muchai, D.M (2013) “Total factor Productivity change in the Non-life Insurance Sector, Kenya: 2005-2009” International Journal Of Science, Commerce and Humanities. Vol. 1 No. 2, pp 68-84.
- Thuku, G.K, Gachanja, P.M, and Obere, A (2013) “The Impact of Population Change on Economic Growth in Kenya” International journal of Economics and management sciences Vol.2 No.6 , pp 43-60.
- Gachanja P. M. (2003) “Determinants of Gender Earnings Differentials in the Informal Set-up” in Momanyi, C and Wawire, N. H. W. )Eds) Disparities in Developing countries: Types, Challenges and the Way forward Vol. 1. Disparities in social sciences, politics and Gender Association of Third World Studies - Kenya pp. 238 - 244.
- Gachanja P. M. and Kosimbei G. K. (2003) “Agriculture production subsidies in developed countries, which way out for developing countries” in Momanyi, C and Wawire, N. H. W.) Eds) Disparities in Developing countries: Types, Challenges and the Way forward Vol. 1. Disparities in social sciences, politics and Gender Association of Third World Studies - Kenya pp. 151 - 156
Conference Proceedings
- Kinyanjui, G. K., Gachanja, P. M., & Mdoe, I. J., (2018). On The Economics of Defense: Does Military Expenditure Impact Economic Growth? The case of Kenya: AREF, Wits Business School, Johannesburg South Africa, 22 - 23 August 2018.
Work in Progress
- Gachanja, P.M. Njiraini, P., & Omolo J.O. (2018) “Factors influencing Micro and Small Enterprise’s decision to innovate in Kenya” - Under review: Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research.
- Jackson, M. I., Kinyanjui, G. K., & Gachanja, P. M. (2018). Firms Reaction to Credit Supply Shocks: Evidence from Kenya.
- Gachanja, P.M. & Kimaita, S.K. (2018). Port Efficiency and Its Effects on Trade flows: Case of Port of Mombasa.
- Gachanja, P.M. & Githinji, A.K. (2018). Potential of Blue Economy for Blue Growth.
- Gachanja, P.M. & Kimaita, S.K. (2018). Technical Efficiency Analysis of the Berths in Kenyan Ports
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