A great leader who transformed the education sector lived
amongst us The Mount Kenya University (MKU) fraternity mourns His Excellency
the late Mwai Kibaki, the nation’s venerable Third President.
His passing on has robbed the nation of an iconic leader who
left giant footprints on the sands of time. Without any doubt, the loss is not
only to his family and Kenya, but also to Africa and the world at large. A
great leader who transformed the education sector lived amongst us.
Hon Kibaki, he of the gentlemanly mien, went quietly about
positively touching lives – without shouting about it or claiming sole credit.
We in the higher education sector celebrate a visionary, patriotic and focused
leader who implemented transformative policies.
His Government introduced some bold reforms that have
guaranteed him a lasting legacy. The inimitable Kibaki enacted the Universities
Act 2012, ushering in a new era in the higher education sector. With a single
stroke of a pen, he levelled the playing field in university education in
matters academic and research.
All universities, whether public or private are governed
under the same law. Subsequently, this paved the way for Government-sponsored
students to join a university of their choice.
The nation will forever remember Mzee Kibaki for expanding
access to higher education. During his 10-year reign, he awarded charters to
both public and private universities, thus unlocking academic opportunities for
thousands of learners.
As one of these universities, MKU has experienced first-hand
the impact of these reforms. Through its campuses in Kenya and Rwanda, the
university continues to contribute to the human resource pool not just in East
Africa, but also in Sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world. MKU’s
international character is a testimony to this.
As education
stakeholders, we also cherish President Kibaki for introducing Free Primary
Education (FPE) upon ascending to power in January 2003 – 19 years ago.
This aspect of the now famed “Kibakinomics” struck a chord
among families across the country.
By taking care of tuition through the national budget, his
Government enabled millions of Kenyan children from poor backgrounds to go
through primary school.
Photo: Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i commissions a complex named after the late Retired President Mwai Kibaki in November last year.
Kenya has sustained this policy, thereby increasing the
transition rate to secondary school and onward to college and university. In
homes across the nation, children for whom President Kibaki opened education
doors are changing their families’ fortunes.
Free Primary Education was a direct assault on poverty,
since literacy is one of the credible tools with which to fight the
dehumanising deprivation and want that Kenya’s founding fathers vowed to
eradicate.
Educated children
wield in their hands the power to realise their potential and dreams, for the
benefit of self, communities and the entire nation. Hon Kibaki, the MKU Family
will forever be grateful for your time and encouragement during the award of
the charter that has contributed to the growth of our university.
An astute statesman has rested, but his impressive work on
earth will outlive him. Rest in Peace, President Kibaki.
Prof Simon N. Gicharu,
CBS Founder & Chairman, Mount Kenya University – Kenya and Rwanda
