Dr Masini Ichwara
Director General Economic Planning
Masini Ichwara, Ph.D., is the Director General at the State Department for Economic Planning. He has over 30 years of distinguished service in economic planning, statistics, monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, and programme and project management.
Ichwara earned his Doctorate and Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Nairobi, demonstrating not only academic excellence but a profound commitment to advancing the discipline of economics. His pursuit of continuous professional growth is evident through his participation in specialized international and regional training programs, such as the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) by the World Bank, the Result Based Monitoring and Evaluation course delivered by ESAMI, the Development Evaluation Programme in Africa by Witwatersrand University, and the Strategic Leadership Development Programme at the Kenya School of Government.
Throughout his extensive career, Ichwara has held senior leadership roles in key State Departments, including Basic Education, Energy, and Industrialization. His expertise has also been witnessed in governing boards such as Kenya Vision 2030, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Kenya Trade Remedies Agency Board, and Leather Development Council, where he contributed to shaping strategic priorities and regulatory frameworks.
Among his landmark contributions, Ichwara spearheaded the development of the Monitoring and Evaluation Curriculum for Kenyan Universities, fostering a new generation of professionals equipped to deliver results-based management. He played a pivotal role in establishing both Kenya’s National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (NIMES) and County Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (CIMES), embedding a culture of accountability and data-driven decision-making in public administration.
His regional and international influence is further underscored by his work with UNDP Kenya, UNDP Somalia, and other international and regional bodies, where he promoted best practices in research, development, evaluation, and capacity building.
In addition to his extensive professional achievements, Ichwara has published a number of influential journal articles that have significantly shaped policy decision-making. His research, rooted in rigorous analysis and a deep understanding of socioeconomic dynamics, has provided evidence-based insights that inform both governmental and institutional strategies. Through his scholarly contributions, Ichwara continues to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that policy formulation is grounded in robust empirical evidence and best practices from both regional and international contexts.
Driven by a deep commitment to evidence-based policymaking, Ichwara continues to institutionalize robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks while championing transformative governance. His leadership is instrumental in reinforcing the capacity of public institutions to deliver on national development priorities and advancing Kenya’s socioeconomic transformation.
