Draft:Paul Gathura Nganga


 * 1) Paul Gathura Ng'ang'a: Professional Background and Misconceptions


 * 1) Early Life and Education

Paul Gathura Ng'ang'a is a notable figure in the field of supply chain management. He excelled academically from a young age, achieving the distinction of being the leading student in his year for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at his high school. His exceptional performance is celebrated in the school's hall of fame.

At Kenyatta University, Paul continued to demonstrate leadership and innovation. He founded the ICT Society of Kenyatta University, a pioneering club that has had a significant and lasting impact. The society has produced many leaders in the ICT sector across East Africa, including Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.


 * 1) Professional Career

Paul Gathura Ng'ang'a has built a reputable career in supply chain management, culminating in his current role as Senior Manager for Supply Chain Management at Safaricom PLC, Kenya's leading telecommunications company. His roles at Safaricom include:

- **Senior Manager - Supply Chain Management (March 2022 - Present)**: Leading strategic sourcing and procurement operations.

- **Principal Sourcing Manager (April 2015 - March 2022)**: Managing key supplier relationships and contract negotiations.

- **Senior Partners and SLA Officer (April 2013 - April 2015)**: Overseeing compliance with service level agreements and managing partnerships [oai_citation:1,Paul Gathura - Senior Manager - Supply Chain Management at Safaricom | The Org]( https://theorg.com/org/safaricom-plc/org-chart/paul-gathura ).

Paul began his career at Finemedia Limited as a Trade Developer Representative, followed by roles at Sheerlogic Management Consultants as a Retail Centre Representative and Retail Assistant. His extensive experience in supply chain and retail sales management highlights his expertise and leadership capabilities.


 * 1) Misconceptions about Involvement with the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF)

Paul Gathura Ng'ang'a's name was wrongfully associated with a scandal at the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF), where he served as a board member. The YEDF was established to support youth entrepreneurship in Kenya, but in 2016, it was involved in a scandal where KES 180 million was misappropriated.

It is crucial to clarify that Paul Gathura was not involved in this financial mismanagement. He did not attend any of the board meetings during the period of the scandal. He became a victim of joining the board at an unfortunate time when the chairman, a close associate of President Uhuru Kenyatta, was involved in orchestrating the theft. This led to Paul being wrongfully implicated when the board was disbanded by the President [oai_citation:2,Ex-CEO conviction evokes memories of youth fund scams - Business Daily]( https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/lifestyle/profiles/ex-ceo-conviction-evokes-memories-of-youth-fund-scams-2192246 ) [oai_citation:3,Uhuru pledges recovery of lost Sh180m youth cash - Business Daily]( https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/uhuru-pledges-recovery-of-lost-sh180m-youth-cash-2113174 ) [oai_citation:4,Uhuru Fires Bruce Odhiambo - Kenyans.co.ke]( https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/uhuru-fires-bruce-odhiambo ).


 * 1) Impact and Public Perception

Despite the misconceptions, Paul Gathura Ng'ang'a's career at Safaricom demonstrates his significant contributions and expertise in supply chain management. His professional achievements reflect his integrity and competence, and his wrongful association with the YEDF scandal serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by professionals due to circumstances beyond their control.

In summary, Paul Gathura Ng'ang'a's career is marked by notable success in corporate management and an unfortunate public service controversy. His contributions to Safaricom and the ICT Society of Kenyatta University highlight his professional excellence and commitment to fostering leadership and innovation in the ICT sector across East Africa.