First Ever University Dialogue Hub in Kenya Set at MMUST
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has officially become the first ever university dialogue hub in Kenya. This comes after the ICA Kenya and the Kenyan Program on Pedagogies for Community (KPPC) set up the 1st Student Cohort of the University Dialogue Hub under the theme ‘From University to Nationhood: Living with Difference and Building an Inclusive Kenya’. The event which took place on Saturday, 24th October, 2026, was graced by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Planning Research and Innovation, Prof. Christopher Ngacho, who officially launched the hub at MMUST on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo.
The Hub, steered by Convener of the University Dialogue Hub and Deputy Director, Institute of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Studies and Climate Change (IIKCSCC), Dr. Lucy Mandillah, is a product of the Memorandum of Understanding that was earlier signed between the ICA Kenya and MMUST. Prof. Josephine Ngaira, the renowned climatologist and Chairperson of the Professors’ Forum at MMUST, is the Director of IIKCSCC. Notably, this is an Institute domiciled in the Division of Planning, Research and Innovation.
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Planning Research and Innovation, Prof. Christopher Ngacho addresses participants at the University Dialogue Hub launch.
Speaking during the launch of the University Dialogue Hub, Prof. Ngacho stated that the University management and the Division of Planning, Research and Innovation appreciates partners such as ICA Kenya and the Kenyan Program on Pedagogies for Community (KPPC). “The University is committed to nurturing an environment where students are respected, treated well and given space to express themselves. I urge you as the pioneer cohort to take the principles of this hub beyond this cohort -to your Schools, departments, homes and communities,” said Prof. Ngacho.
Reiterating Prof. Ngacho, Dr Lucy Mandillah noted that the fellows were selected from a large number of applicants and included students with diverse ideas and orientation. She pointed out that young people need space to dialogue, and to interact with communities. “This cohort will last for 7 months. After the hub, we will have a community that practices, celebrates and learns from diversity,” revealed Dr. Mandillah
Mr. Charles Esibikhwa of ICA Kenya leads the champions in cutting a cake to mark the launch of the University Dialogue Hub at MMUST.
Mr. Charles Esibikhwa of ICA Kenya pointed out the need to understand other people and live with them as they are. He unraveled the roadmap of the project, adding that communities are a store of knowledge which MMUST and all the partner organizations in the project must tap into. Mr. Esibikhwa was accompanied by Ms. Irene Achieng who equally appealed to students to participate in co- creating solutions as peace builders, ensuring that they create an impact beyond the university.
“We must learn by doing things together with different people. We will train these students that are participating in the University Dialogue hub to become the trainers of the next cohort,” said Mr. Esibikhwa.
A section of the student participants keenly follow the presentations during the event at MMUST.
The student-led initiative, implemented by MMUST in partnership with the ICA Kenya and the Kenyan Program on Pedagogies for Community (KPPC), saw a total of 22 student delegates undergo the initial induction and participate in the launch of the University Dialogue Hub. Indeed the Hub is set to catalyze dialogue, responsible student community action and civic engagement. Once again, MMUST is at the front line, championing a harmonious world and all-inclusive existence for humankind.
