Revitalizing Governance at Ruben Centre

In a significant stride towards effective governance, the Congregation of Christian Brothers East Africa established the Christian Brothers Ruben Centre Trust in November 2021. This pivotal development aimed to grant the Trust full authority over the governance of the Ruben Centre. However, despite initial enthusiasm, progress in activating the Trust remained stagnant throughout 2022. The turning point arrived in 2023 when a concerted effort by the Mother Trust set the stage for the Trust's revival.

Leading this revival was Br. Tom Kearney, appointed as the Chair, with invaluable support from Br. Simon Peter Odongo, the African Province Bursar. Upon my return to Ruben Centre in early February, I undertook the role of a non-voting Trust secretary, charged with the pivotal task of catalysing the Trust's full activation. Registered under the Ministry of Lands, the Trust operates under its constitution, aligned with Kenya's Trust laws.

A critical facet of this activation was the composition of the Board of Trustees, which required not only a minimum of two but up to seven distinguished individuals. The criteria encompassed a deep understanding of the Centre's history, vision, and mission, coupled with their present capacity to dedicate time and expertise to the Centre's service. Also, an affinity with organizations beneficial to the Centre's growth was deemed advantageous.

Navigating unforeseen challenges along the way, the journey culminated in a monumental achievement on August 5th, 2023, as five trustees convened for the first time.

Diverse Expertise in Governance

The newly constituted Board of Trustees epitomizes a harmonious blend of expertise and dedication:

Br. Tom Kearney (Chair):  A long-standing Kenya resident, Br. Tom Kearney boasts a rich background in tertiary education, including serving as the Director/Principal of Tangaza College.

Br. Simon Peter Odongo (Finance):  As the Christian Brothers African Province Bursar, Br. Simon Peter Odongo contributes a profound financial acumen to the Trust's proceedings.

Ms. Zipporah Njeri Mwangi (Chief Officer Nairobi Country):  With her past role as Ruben Health Centre in charge and interim Director of Ruben Centre, Ms. Zipporah brings a comprehensive perspective to the Trust's initiatives.

Ms. Elizabeth Mwangi:  Drawing from her tenure at Edmund Rice Foundation- Kenya and former role as Program Manager at the Ruben Centre, Ms. Elizabeth Mwangi adds an array of organizational insights.

Mr. Justus Mwendwa (Chief Program Manager at WE CHARITY Kenya):  Mr. Justus Mwendwa contributes his extensive experience in program management, enhancing the Trust's strategic direction.

The inaugural meeting was held in the Edmund Rice room at Ruben Centre, providing a symbolic setting for charting a new course in governance.

Charting a Visionary Path

The meeting commenced with a reflective dialogue, wherein each trustee shared their unique contributions to the Trust. To facilitate this process, I employed a framework from Caplor Horizons (UK), a renowned charity fostering leadership and strategic growth in organizations. This set the stage for meaningful discussions and collective goal-setting.

Empowering the Future

With an understanding likened to a well-maintained house, the trustees aligned their diverse experiences, education, and backgrounds to the Ruben Centre's mission. A visit to the Level III health facility emerged as a key agenda item, particularly concerning efforts to secure accreditation from the National Health Board and National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). The Centre's maternity ward, accommodating ten new mothers and their infants, exemplified the immediate impact of their endeavors.

Crucial Agreements and Strategic Alignment

The meeting encompassed a range of critical agenda items, including formulating an organizational organogram, appointing a General Manager, and analyzing the Quarter 2 report, addressing pertinent financial issues and more.

I devoted substantial effort to acquainting the trustees with a mid-term review of the ongoing 5-year Strategic Plan (2021-2025), emphasizing the strategic objective of education's vulnerability. Key challenges include managing an unexpectedly large student population exceeding 3,300, accommodating a new Junior Secondary School within limited resources, and implementing a national Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) amid resource constraints.

The trustees' concerted commitment is poised to address these multifaceted challenges, fostering positive change and rejuvenating the Ruben Centre's legacy. Amid economic hardships and social upheaval, the Trust's resolute mission is to provide stability, empowerment, and transformation for the community it serves.

By: Br. Frank O’Shea
Edits: Gregory Barake