MMUST Managers Attend African Forward Summit Side Meeting to Discuss Potential Collaboration With the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s Managers on 11th and 12th May, 2026, participated in the African Forward Summit side meeting, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry in conjunction with Agency of Francophone Universities (AUF). It was a strategic bilateral meeting between the Kenya Government and AUF, which is an entity that brings together over 1000 Universities. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Christopher Ngacho, attended the meeting courtesy of an invitation by the Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Deborah Mulongo Barasa. The meeting aimed at discussing the possibilities of MMUST renewing relations with AUF and collaborating with the Ministry.
One of the significant issues that emerged from the meeting was MMUST’s participation in the Congo Basin Blue Fund (CBBF). This is a major African regional financing instrument and sustainable development initiative, designed to transition member states from a forest-exploitation economy to a sustainable ‘blue’ economy. It focuses on managing water resources, protecting the Congo Basin ecosystem, and combating climate change under the Congo Basin Commission.
Dr. Deborah Mulongo Barasa speaks at the strategic bilateral meeting.
In an interview with DCCM crew, Prof. Shibairo pointed out that MMUST has been tasked with preparing a proposal to CBBF to be submitted and shared to the donor roundtable group this month. “The Congo Forest is the second largest forest reserve after the Amazon, yet it is vastly threatened by deforestation, agricultural expansion and mining activities. MMUST is determined to tackle these challenges in order to support climate action,” said the Vice Chancellor.
“As a University located next to the only remaining tropical rainforest in Kenya, MMUST is interested in initiatives that support green and blue economy for sustainable development. We are committed to preserving the Kakamega tropical rainforest, being part of the Congo Basin ecosystem. MMUST envisages to be a center of excellence in forest research within the East African region,” stated Prof. Ngacho, adding that the University has the requisite expertise to move forward the Congo Basin research agenda.
Delegates discuss during the African Forward side meeting.
MMUST’s prolific researcher and risk mitigation expert, Dr. Nicodemus Nyandiko was also present at the discussions. While speaking to the DCCM crew, Dr. Nyandiko revealed that CBBF is an ambitious investment plan, whose target is to mobilize over 10 billion USD to support the restoration of the Congo forest, conservation of biodiversity, livelihoods and other green investments. “This is a great opportunity for researchers at MMUST to work across disciplines to develop bankable projects that will address the challenges in the Congo basin. MMUST is ready to take the lead as a center of excellence by producing strong evidence to inform the project,” he stated.
Notably, the just-concluded meeting with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, and Agency of Francophone Universities has provided an opportunity for MMUST to join the continental conversations and research partnerships for socio-economic growth. With a regional entity of over 17 member states, AUF is poised to steer its mandate of supporting capacity building and research for climate action. Indeed, MMUST is well-positioned to tap into all these opportunities and lead the drive for climate change in Africa and elsewhere in the world.
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Wangari Wambugu
