MMUST Afrik Fellows Get a Taste of Kenya as Institute of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Studies and Climate Change Hosts a Dinner in Their Honour

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology AFRIAK fellows yesterday 3^rd March, 2026, got a taste of Kenya as the Institute of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Studies and Climate Change (IIKCSCCS) hosted a dinner in their honour. The event, which took place at the Golf Hotel, Kakamega, brought together MMUST management, faculty, CODESRIA Mentor, Prof. Kenneth Simala, Coordinator AFRIAK- MMUST, Dr. Lucy Mandillah, and the visiting fellows to officially welcome the fellows and celebrate the beginning of their AFRIAK journey as the Inaugural cohort in MMUST. The evening served as a networking opportunity following a day of formal receptions and orientation sessions across the University.

AFRIAK mentor, Prof. Kenneth Simala addresses participants during the dinner.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Kenneth Simala, who is one of the mentors appointed by CODESRIA, outlined the schedule and research pathway for the fellows. He emphasized that the programme is not just about academic talk or theory but lived indigenous knowledge. “We will interact with experts from the communities who will speak to us in their native languages. We will have interpreters, and translators to ensure they translate and interpret the information to the fellows.”

Prof. Simala further extended an open invitation to faculty to join the mentorship effort, saying that the residency provides an opportunity for inter-disciplinarity, multi-disciplinarity and trans-disciplinarity. The other mentor is Prof. Workineh Kelbessa, University of Addis Ababa.

The Director IIKCSCCS, Prof. Josephine Ngaira makes her remarks.

Welcoming the fellows, the Director IIKCSCCS, Prof. Josephine Ngaira highlighted the University’s unique geographical and academic positioning. “You are at a very good place,” she affirmed, noting that MMUST is the only university situated next to the world’s last remaining tropical rainforest, and with the only Institute teaching indigenous knowledge, cultural studies and climate change in Kenya.

She encouraged the fellows to visit traditional sites and learn more about indigenous knowledge systems of communities living in Kenya during their stay. She pointed out that for a long time, the western perspectives have treated indigenous knowledge as ‘African Primitive Stories’ and culture as ‘backward practices and artifacts’ meant for museums- Not any more!. “Let us work together to reclaim, revive, and preserve our indigenous and cultural wisdom to be able to better and shape the future of Africa,” she added.

The Coordinator AFRIAK-MMUST Hub, Dr. Lucy Mandillah (right) in action before the cake cutting.

The Coordinator AFRIAK-MMUST Hub, Dr. Lucy Mandillah who is also the Deputy Director, IIKCSCC welcomed them and assured them of the Institute’s full support throughout their journey. She noted that she had previously met the fellows in Kigali, Rwanda. “I welcome you to enjoy Kenya’s beautiful scenery, birds, landscape, and cultures. You will have an opportunity to meet physically with the knowledge keepers in our communities here in western Kenya,” stated Dr. Mandillah.

On his part, the Registrar Academic Affairs, Prof. Judah Ndiku said that the Academic Division in the University is very much interested in the AFRIAK Residency and will provide unfettered support and guidance during the entire life cycle of the programme. “We are committed to your success and look forward to the possibility of you joining our faculty upon the completion of your studies. These interactions should transcend the ordinary. Let us have a deep cross-pollination of ideas, cultures and knowledge,” he stated.

Music maestro, Dr. Issac Shitubi (left) joins fellows in song and dance.

The dinner was punctuated with continuous entertainment from the MMUST choir and band, which treated the participants to an extravaganza of popular tunes from across Africa. The fellows were also treated to the East African cuisine and a showcase of special indigenous foods from western Kenya. The evening provided a perfect environment for relaxation, bonding and networking as the fellows got to know faculty and other critical members of the University. Indeed the dinner was the perfect welcome to these fellows from Africa, a continent that values good food, hospitality, indigenous music and cultures.