‘We commend the University’s development projects so far,’ Council

“MMUST is a rising academic and research giant that is actaulizing its potential”. This was the assertion by the University Council Chairman, Dr. Jeremy Bundi, during excursions to MMUST development projects in Busia, Bungoma and Vihiga counties, between 17^th and 18^th March 2018. Dr. Bundi noted that MMUST has invested a lot of resources towards bringing higher education and research closer to the people.

While at Ebunangwe in Vihiga County, Dr. Bundi commended the model farm project and observed on the need to upscaling food processing activities and marketing. Currently, MMUST through innovations of the Nutritional Scientist Prof. Asenath Sigot produces certified MMUSTMUG Porridge from mushroom, sweetpotato and millet; and MMUSTMUG Spirulina capsules. In Budalang’i, Dr. Bundi said of the campus facility, “This is wonderful infrastructure and lays a foundation for the upcoming MMUST campus.”

Budalang’i Campus was established through funds from the World Bank and the Ministry of Devolution and Planning through the Directorate of Special Programmes, with concerted support from local leadership through Community Development Fund (CDF), scholars and well wishers from the community. This MMUST-World Bank project was an initiative of the School of Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA) under the leadership of Prof. Silvery B. Oteng’i. The Campus sits on the land that was previously used as an evacuation centre for people displaced by floods from River Nzoia that pours into Lake Victoria.     

At Butula Campus in Busia County, Dr. Bundi praised the large modern investment in the rural, driven by an ambitious and hardworking community yearning for higher education. The Deputy Governor H.E. Moses Mulomi who was present, committed to support higher education projects by MMUST, and move towards enhancing capacity for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Busia County. In a rejoinder, former Member of Parliament and distinguished scholar Prof. Christine Mango, who is among MMUST founders and is also a founder of the new Butula Campus said, “Only education gives us hope, but it is very expensive when people are subjected to study far away from home”. Partly for this reason, Prof Mango noted, a university campus is an industry that needs to be supported for socio-economic growth.

In Bungoma and Webuye campuses, Dr. Bundi appreciated the work of the University Management for the focused investment that had improved infrastucture and transformend the two campuses towards accreditation as modern academic facilities. He proposed the tailoring of entrepreneurial courses towards satisfying the needs of the local communities and markets. He emphasized the need for TVET programmes that are sources of innovation and wealth, citing M-PESA and VIUSASA apps as examples of creative products of Kenyan youth. He also said that extension of higher education and TVET programmes could help stem out societal vices such as alcoholism and drug abuse.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Eng. Fredrick Otieno was optimistic that the progressive support by the Council has been steadily transforming MMUST as a global player. “Under my leadership, we expect to work hard and observe honesty in achieving sustainable growth of MMUST,” said Prof. Otieno. Other Members of MMUST Council present included Mr. Don R.O. Riaro, Dr. Samson Muchelule, Ms. Joyce M. Nderitu, Ms. Vayonda J. Sirma-Koross, Mr. Kosiom F. Kibelekenya, Ms. Dorothy Kimeu and Mr. David Watene.  

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MMUST acquired the first ever Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) machine in Eastern and Central Africa. NMR is a modern spectroscopic analytical instrument used by researchers to determine the structure of organic substances present in living things and the environment. The Head of Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry Dr. Francis Orata said that “With this latest model of NMR machine, we have the capacity to tell the exact kind of substances that are present in medicinal plants, nutritive traditional vegetables, and other organic materials from living things. It is even possible for us to determine the exact poisonous substances such as aflatoxins in contaminated maize. And we as well can elucidate the compounds contained in genetically modified organisms (GMOs)”. 

“African governments need to transform their political systems to embrace Development Politics”. This is the rallying call by the MMUST Scholar, Professor Frank K. Matanga, a Political Scientist in the School of Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA). 

Prof. Matanga explained that Development Politics entails an appreciation of political values such as peace and security to enhance genuine sustainable development. In this case, peace is not just the absence of direct and physical violence; but more importantly, the absence of structural violence entailing social cohesion and justice. “Security is not just the absence of military threats to the state’s core national interests. It entails the absence of socio-economic and political threats to individuals and societies well-being and interests. For example, poverty and unemployment are aspects of insecurity” said Prof. Matanga. 

The political scientist advised that universities need to develop academic programs that champion Development Politics. MMUST runs academic programmes that strengthen socio-political responsibility such as Diplomacy & International Relations, Peace & Conflict Studies, Sustainable Development, Social Work & Community Development, and Disaster Management. He said that the government needs to work in collaboration with universities in policy development and implementation.

“The Jubilee Big Four Agenda on manufacturing, universal healthcare, affordable housing, and food security, if properly implemented, can go a long way in supporting tenets of Development Politics in Kenya”said Prof. Matanga. He noted that there is urgent need to develop networks of research institutes that focus on promoting Development Politics. MMUST is keen on establishing such an institute.

Two School of Computing and Informatics staff (Dr. Kelvin Omieno and Mr. Jasper Ondulo) attended recently concluded Ministry of Health and Counties Research Consultative workshop that brought together the University researchers from HealthIT team (UoN), Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, University of Kabianga, Rongo University and Maseno University, and County Health management teams from Kisumu county, Migori County, Kakamega county and Kericho County that took place on 12th-13th March 2018 in Homabay County.

Some of the presenters included: Dr. Maurine Adoyo (Moi University), Prof. Peter Waiganjo (UoN), Mr. John K. Kenduiwo (MD University of Nairobi Enterprises and Services Ltd), Dr. Charles Nzioka of Ministry of Health and Prof. Charles Mbakaya (Rongo University).
The School of Computing and Informatics of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology recently signed an MOU with School of Computing and Informatics of University of Nairobi. This is aimed at fostering partnership and research collaborations through HealthIT project funded by USAID. The collaboration was spearheaded by Dr. Kelvin Omieno, who is also the Acting Dean of the School, MMUST and Prof. Robert Oboko and Dr. Dan Orwa of University of Nairobi.

There has been a series of other activities that have been conducted since the collaboration was initiated. Today other Universities have since come on board including Rongo University, Maseno University and University of Kabianga. The Research agenda is being fostered in close partnership with local County Health Management Teams (CHMTs) of Kakamega, Kericho, Migori and Kisumu in order to solve local problems in the area of Health Information Systems in the respective counties.