MMUST Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo Officially Welcomes AFRIAK Fellows to the Institution!!

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo has officially welcomed 30 AFRIAK Fellows to the institution. The fellows, currently on a month-long residency from 1st to 31st March, 2026, paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor to apprise him of their Project and involvement with the University’s Institute of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Studies and Climate Change (IIKCSCC). The delegation, led by the Director IIKCSCC, Prof. Josephine Ngaira, also interacted with the Deputy Vice Chancellor Planning, Research, and Innovation, Prof. Christopher Ngacho and Prof. Peter Bukhala.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo addresses the fellows during the courtesy call.

Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Shibairo lauded the fellows for their dedication to indigenous systems. He spoke passionately about the University’s interest in documenting and preserving African wisdom, reminding the fellows that Africans had their own knowledge systems long before the arrival of the white man.

The Vice Chancellor also applauded CODESRIA for its progressive recruitment policy, which prioritized women in the selection process of the fellows.

A section of the fellows keenly follows discussions.

Highlighting the highly competitive nature of such global opportunities, Prof. Ngacho urged the fellows to fully maximize the chance and resources at their disposal. He further challenged them to build research networks that extend beyond the residency, envisioning a long-term partnership with the MMUST scholarly community.

“One of the core mandates of CODESRIA is the establishment of continental research networks. As the MMUST-AFRIAK hub, I challenge you to formalize these connections so that, beyond your residency, you can continue to collaborate with our scholars and colleagues across other regional hubs. By building these bridges now, you ensure that when the need for multi-disciplinary teams arises in the future, the foundation for collaboration will be in place,” said Prof. Ngacho.

The Director Institute of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Studies and Climate Change (IIKCSCC), Prof. Josephine Ngaira makes her remarks.

Reiterating their sentiments, Prof. Ngaira affirmed that the project is a great opportunity for researchers, as it has created a space for learning. Additionally, Prof. Ngaira emphasized the fellowship’s role in empowering women, whom she described as ‘nurtures of nature’, noting that their inclusion is key to the sustainable management of our indigenous knowledge systems.

“MMUST is the only University among the nine hubs selected by CODESRIA across Africa hosting the largest number of fellows, 30. This certainly positions MMUST & IIKCSCC as a centre of excellence in Indigenous Knowledge Systems, signaling a high level of trust and credibility from international partners such as CODESRIA. We are grateful to the University Management Board for their continued support in hosting our first cohort of AFRIAK fellows throughout their residency this March,” stated the Coordinator MMUST-AFRIAK Hub, Dr. Lucy Mandillah.

Speaking on behalf of the fellows, Ms. Mary Bhila from South Africa and Mr. Robert Ng’oma from Malawi expressed their gratitude to the University Management for the warm hospitality and seamless integration into the MMUST community since their arrival at the start of March.

Ms. Mary Bhila from South Africa speaks during the courtesy call.

Also present during the meeting were the knowledge keepers Mr. Johns Wambetsa, popularly known as Moto Mwaka, and Ms. Mary M.

Undoubtedly, this fellowship is evidence of the power of intellectual synergy across borders. By bringing scholars from various traditions and countries, we are breaking down silos in service of our continent!