Alupe University emerged top during the prestigious international Financial Reporting (FiRe) Award, beating all other public universities in Kenya. The award is so coveted that every university and company fights to make it to the top, if not wining it. Wining it is however, never that easy and it requires that a participating organization has to be subjected through seven technical parameters.
The FiRe award is a prestigious and sought-after award in East Africa in financial reporting and management. Selecting a winner involves an impartial adjudication bench of 109 evaluators and judges divided into two levels. The adjudication bench is led by an accomplished judge, FCPA Dr James McFie, where top three winners (competing institutions) from various categories are picked.
A total of 1,507 companies and institutions took part in the 2025 competition. Among them were companies from Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Alupe University, emerged the best among all the over 40 public universities in Kenya (find some of the public universities here: Kenya Education Network website)
Photo: (L-R) CPA Imelda Akhonya, together with Council members; Dr Virginia Kimani_ the AU Councill Chairperson, and Ms Stella Osoro (Representing PS_ Treasury) with the FiRe Award trophy
This 2025 FiRe Prize was sponsored by several high premium corporates including; the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), ICPAK, Nairobi Securities Exchange, Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (Kenya) among others.
The FiRe award 2025 was preceded by a one-day pre-award conference at Serena Hotel on Thursday 4th December. Thereafter, over 1000 guests (including representatives form Alupe University) gathered at Safari Park Hotel on Friday 5th December for award dinner. Attendees included members of management and councils from participating universities, CEOs of other parastatals and companies and invited guests.
Alupe University was represented by Chair Council, Dr Virginia Kimani accompanied by three other council members, Prof Toboso, Finance Officer CPA Imelda and CPA Dennis. AU team was sponsored by AU management led by the Vice Chancellor.
Photo: Alupe University Management, AU Finance officers and Members of AU Council at Safari Park Hotel, after receiving the award
Participation in the 2025 awards brought in competitors from various sectors including: higher learning institutions, banking sector, insurance companies, regulatory entities, commercial sector, government ministries, manufacturing sector, state corporations, county assemblies, state commissions, Sacco societies, listed companies, hospitals, political parties, government ministries, pension funds, government commissions, TVETs, and, water companies.
Photo: Members of the AU Finance Team, CPA Akhonya and CPA Obare pausing with the trophy
By the nature and prestige that this award holds, Alupe University appreciates the Vice Chancellor Prof. P.L. Barasa for good leadership and policies for excellent work, which contributed to the award. Once again, most sincere gratitude goes to the VC, the Council, the Management and most specially, the AU Finance team for enabling this historical and remarkable achievement.
Alupe University
By TB. Mahero & Savai Sabwa,