Mount Kenya University (MKU) Pro Chancellor, Dr Vincent Gaitho, has won the ‘Distinguished Award of the Year’ in the International Peace Award 2022 by International College of Peace Studies.
Dr Gaitho has been chairman of MKU-organised International Peace and Security Conferences organised and hosted by MKU since 2017. The inaugural peace conference was held in 2017 and the second one in May 2022 before the August 8 General Elections this year.
The conferences have played an integral role in fostering peace and harmony, notably before the often fractious general elections.The university will hold 3rd international peace and security conference in May 2027.”We recognise your outstanding efforts in promoting peace in the world,” says the award citation.
Rev Joshua Gwara, Organizing Secretary, Peace Award Committee said the university don was selected because over the years he has given service to humanity in a positive, selfless and compassionate manner. “In a special and dedicated manner, you have made great contributions to community peace in your own way,” the cleric added.
Photo/Peace award winners
The award ceremony was held at Stedmak Garden in Karen, Nairobi on December 16. Other winners were Dr Rollan Roberts, President of the US Centre for Diplomacy, KBC broadcaster Beatrice Gatonye, Dr. Joan Mwende, Bishop Hudson Ndeda, Emmanuel Oppong, Dr Peter Mwangi Nderitu, and George Wachiuri of Optiven Real Estate.
This year’s three-day peace forum was held on May 18-20 at Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre at MKU main campus, Thika. Partnering in organizing and funding the meeting were diplomatic missions based in Nairobi, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), University of Nairobi, MKU, various organizations of the United Nations and several private companies.
Speaking during a forum to prepare for the conference held at a Nairobi hotel earlier this year, MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi, represented by Dr. Evans Mwiti, decried the cycle of violence which happens every year before and after each General Election. “MKU has decided to make contributions to minimize if not eradicate the impact of such violence during elections or any other time,” Dr Mwiti said.
Kenya has in the past witnessed post-election violence stemming from highly contested campaign periods and disputed results. Thus peaceful electioneering periods would catalyze social enterprise as well as entrench good democratic and governance practices.
During the conference, German institutions said they are offering hundreds of scholarships to Kenyan university students studying or seeking to study locally or in European institutions. The support is available for undergraduate students, Masters Level as well as PhD scholars from the East African region, including refugees.
Photo/Dr. Vincent Gichuru Gaitho, MKU Pro Chancellor
The meeting aimed to provide a platform to dialogue and address pertinent issues on peace, security, and social enterprise for sustainable development at the global level and especially in Kenya during an electioneering period. Its theme was; “The role of universities, public and private sectors in peace building for socio-economic development”.
“MKU believes that by all of us joining hands, this conference will make a huge contribution in making not only Kenya but the world to embrace peace and tolerance at all times. I appeal to you that we all join hands to promote a peaceful and a tolerant society,” Dr Gaitho, Pro Chancellor at MKU, said during the event.
The Mku Council Chairman, Prof David Serem, said the university would continue to fully support all activities that promote peace and education in the country, regionally and globally. “We are committed to fully supporting all activities geared in promoting peace and especially those involving youth. This is why most of our programmes are self-job creating oriented,” the chairman said.
