Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Governance

The Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Governance is a programme that equips students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in leadership, governance, public administration and policy analysis. Offered at Great Lakes University of Kisumu, the programme prepares graduates for roles in public service, civil society organisations, county governments and the private sector.

The curriculum covers leadership theory, governance principles, public policy analysis, organisational behaviour, strategic management, public financial management, human resource management, ethics and integrity, project management, research methods and constitutional governance. Students develop analytical, communication and decision-making skills relevant to governance contexts.

Kenya's devolved governance system under the 2010 Constitution has created significant demand for professionals trained in leadership and governance. County governments, constitutional commissions, civil society organisations and development partners require skilled graduates who understand governance frameworks, public participation mechanisms and accountability systems.

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, case studies, group discussions, field visits and a research project. Students engage with real-world governance challenges through attachment placements in county governments, NGOs and community-based organisations, gaining practical exposure to public administration processes.

Graduates pursue careers as governance officers, programme officers, administrative officers, policy analysts, project officers and community development officers in county governments, national government agencies, NGOs, faith-based organisations and private sector firms. The programme also provides a foundation for postgraduate study in public administration, governance or development studies.

Prospective students should have a passion for public service, strong communication skills and an interest in contributing to good governance and democratic governance processes in Kenya. The programme is suitable for both direct entry students and practising professionals seeking to formalise their leadership experience with an academic qualification.

Duration: 4 years
Private, up to: Ksh 136,350
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Leadership Theory and Practice
Governance Principles
Public Policy Analysis
Organisational Behaviour
Strategic Management
Public Financial Management
Human Resource Management
Ethics and Integrity in Governance
Project Management
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Leadership Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Explores classical and contemporary leadership theories, examining how different leadership styles apply to governance and public administration contexts in Kenya and Africa.
Principles of Governance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces the foundations of governance including constitutional frameworks, democratic principles, accountability mechanisms and the role of state and non-state actors in governance.
Public Policy Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers the policy cycle from formulation to evaluation, equipping students with analytical tools to assess public policies and their impact on governance outcomes.
Organisational Behaviour and Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines individual and group behaviour in organisations, covering motivation, leadership dynamics, organisational culture and change management in public sector contexts.
Public Financial Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces principles of public finance including budgeting, revenue mobilisation, expenditure management and fiscal accountability in county and national government.
Ethics and Integrity in Governance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Addresses ethical frameworks for public service, anti-corruption strategies, integrity systems and the role of ethics in promoting good governance and public trust.
Strategic Management and Planning
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers strategic planning processes in public organisations, including visioning, environmental analysis, strategy formulation, implementation and performance monitoring.
Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines HR management principles applied to public service, covering recruitment, performance management, employee relations and public service commission regulations.
Research Methods in Governance Studies
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Equips students with qualitative and quantitative research skills for investigating governance issues, designing surveys, analysing data and writing research reports.
Project Management for Development
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the project management cycle including needs assessment, project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, with focus on governance and development projects.
Constitutional Governance and Devolution in Kenya
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analyses Kenya's constitutional governance framework, devolved government structures, intergovernmental relations and the role of citizens in participatory governance.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on a governance or leadership topic, demonstrating the student's ability to apply theoretical knowledge to a real-world governance challenge.

Specialisations

Public Administration
Focuses on public sector management, administrative systems and government operations, preparing graduates for roles in county and national government.
NGO and Development Management
Specialises in programme management for non-governmental organisations, covering project cycles, donor relations and community development.
Policy Analysis
Develops skills in public policy research, analysis and advocacy for roles in think tanks, research institutions and policy advisory positions.
Corporate Governance
Focuses on governance principles applied to private sector organisations, including board governance, compliance and corporate accountability.
County Governance and Devolution
Specialises in Kenya's devolved governance system, covering county government operations, intergovernmental relations and public participation.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on governance theories or public policy frameworks, followed by a seminar discussion analysing case studies of county government governance challenges. Afternoon sessions may include group project work on policy analysis assignments or a guest lecture from a practitioner in county government or civil society. Students also engage with community-based organisations during field visits to observe governance structures in practice.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's devolved governance system has created steady demand for governance professionals across all 47 counties.
The programme provides versatile skills applicable in public sector, NGOs, private sector and international organisations.
Graduates can pursue further specialisation in public administration, development studies or governance at master's level.

Against it

Entry-level positions in governance roles often require additional experience or internships, as employers value practical exposure to governance processes.
The programme is currently offered at a limited number of universities, which may restrict study location options.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Private136k to 136k

136k at International Leadership University136k at International Leadership University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

ILU BA 136,350/yr (Tuko). No public univ offers Leadership & Governance specifically. Src: KUCCPS

Students can access HELB loans, NGAAF bursaries and county government bursaries. GLUK also offers internal bursary awards and talent scholarships for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
GLUK Bursary Awards and Talent Scholarship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities
GLUK Bursary Awards
BursaryKenyan
Needy students enrolled at Great Lakes University of Kisumu, awarded based on financial need and academic performance
GLUK Talent Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Students demonstrating exceptional talent in academics, sports or leadership, enrolled at GLUK

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised institution, or KACE with at least 2 principal passes.

English or Kiswahili
C
Mathematics
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering course content, contributing to the continuous assessment grade.
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination70% of the mark
Final written examinations at the end of each semester testing comprehensive understanding of all modules covered.
Group Presentations and Seminars
Presentation20% of the mark
Student-led presentations analysing governance case studies and policy issues, assessed on content, analysis and communication.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project on a governance or leadership topic, assessed through a written dissertation and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Great Lakes University of Kisumu, a chartered private university in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya's statutory body for university accreditation.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Governance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000
Supports governance and civic engagement initiatives in NGOs and civil society organisations, coordinating public participation forums and stakeholder engagement.
Programme Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000
Implements and monitors development programmes in NGOs and international organisations, working on governance, accountability and civic engagement projects.
Administrative Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 100,000
Manages administrative functions in county governments, public agencies and private organisations, coordinating departments and implementing policies.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 130,000
Researches and analyses public policies for think tanks, government agencies and advocacy organisations, producing briefs and recommendations for decision-makers.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 110,000
Coordinates project implementation in development organisations, managing budgets, timelines and stakeholder relationships for governance and community projects.
Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 90,000
Works with communities and local authorities to facilitate participatory development planning, governance training and civic education programmes.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as governance officers, programme officers and administrative officers in county governments, NGOs and development organisations across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A leadership and governance degree only leads to politics.
While some graduates enter politics, the majority work as governance officers, programme officers and administrators in NGOs, county governments and private sector organisations.
The programme is only for students who could not qualify for law or business degrees.
Leadership and governance is a distinct discipline with its own theoretical foundations in political science, public administration and organisational behaviour, requiring different aptitudes than law or business.
Graduates cannot find employment in the private sector.
Private sector organisations increasingly require governance and compliance expertise, particularly with growing emphasis on corporate governance and ESG standards in Kenya.
The degree is only useful in Nairobi-based organisations.
Kenya's devolved governance system has created demand for governance professionals across all 47 counties, with county governments and local NGOs actively recruiting graduates.