MMUST Heads of Cost Centers Urged to Incorporate Risk Management as an Integral Part of University Operations
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has commenced an intensive three-day training on Audit and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) for Heads of Cost Centres, aimed at strengthening the University’s capacity to identify, assess and effectively manage institutional risks. The training, organized by the Directorate of Risk Management led by Prof. Maurice Vincent Omolo, is being conducted from 6th to 8th October, 2026 at Golf Hotel Kakamega. It is facilitated by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Kenya and brings together key University officers in charge of various cost centres. The training seeks to enhance participants’ understanding of enterprise risk management principles and equip them with practical skills to integrate risk considerations into decision-making, strategic planning and day-to-day operations.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration and Finance, Prof. John Kuria Thuo speaks at the event.
Representing the Vice Chancellor at the training, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration and Finance, Prof. John Kuria Thuo, noted that risk management is an integral part of day-to-day operations. He emphasized the need to take intelligent risks, control unacceptable risks, and prepare adequately for risks beyond the institution’s control. “Let us anticipate, prepare, respond to and learn from risks. Effective risk management requires us to stay proactive, resilient and ready to navigate uncertainties,” said Prof. Thuo.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Planning, Research and Innovation, Prof. Christopher Ngacho makes his remarks during the training.
Additionally, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Planning, Research and Innovation, Prof. Christopher Ngacho, emphasized the importance of early risk identification as a key driver of good institutional performance. He urged staff to avoid fragmented approaches, calling for greater harmonization, collaboration and synergy across University operations. “Identification of risks is the safest way of ensuring good performance. We should not do things in a fragmented manner; let us harmonize and develop synergy within our operations,” said Prof. Ngacho.
Prof. Maurice Vincent Omolo encouraged the participants to take the training seriously, emphasizing that, as risk owners, they have a critical responsibility to identify, assess and manage risks within their respective cost centres.
The Director- Risk Management- Prof. Maurice Vincent Omolo addresses the participants.
One of the facilitators, Dr. Constantine Barasa took participants through the fundamentals of Enterprise Risk Management, highlighting the importance of understanding the University’s risk environment and establishing appropriate mechanisms for identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating risks. He emphasized that risk is the effect of uncertainty on objectives and is inherent in every organizational activity. He encouraged the participants to develop a proactive risk management mindset and embed risk considerations into their respective functions.
Dr. Constantine Barasa makes a presentation during the training.
The facilitator also underscored the need for a robust Risk Management Framework to provide the architecture upon which risk management processes are embedded within an organization’s activities and functions. Such a framework should support the design, implementation, monitoring, review and continuous improvement of risk management practices across the institution
A section of the participants keenly follows the presentations.
The training is also involving the practical application of ERM at MMUST, with participants examining critical questions around the University’s major institutional risks, risk appetite, sensitization and awareness of staff and governance structures, integration of ERM into strategy-setting processes, Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), performance agreements for risk owners, and Business Continuity Management (BCM). The other key areas covered on the first day were risk assessment, roles and responsibilities of risk champions and risk owners, risk and decision-making, strategy and objective setting, and the enterprise risk management mindset.
The discussions are expected to enhance the capacity of Heads of Cost Centres to take greater ownership of risks within their respective units to ensure that emerging risks are identified and addressed before they adversely affect the University’s operations and strategic objectives.
By Linet Owuor
Photos by Wangari Wambugu
