Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) community gathered for prayers at the University’s Graduation Square on 22nd January, 2019.The prayer day was held in light of recent demise of both staff and students and also to bring MMUST fraternity together.
MMUST Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Bosire joined hands with the University’s chaplaincy to organize the prayer day which was attended by the University Council, the University Management Board (UMB), Deans and Directors, Student leaders, teaching and non-teaching staff, representatives from other campuses and invited clergy.The Guest Speaker was Bishop Emeritus Dr. Bonifes Adoyo of CITAM (Christ is the Answer Ministries) church.
The Chairman of Council, Dr. Jeremy Bundi, said he was grateful that staff and students had been resilient in keeping hope in spite of the difficult times of losing key staff members and a number of students. He further said that the gathering of staff and students for the prayer day marked a new page for the University.
The Acting Vice Chancellor, in his speech, called for unity and thanked both staff and students for their support from the time he joined MMUST on 1st December,
2018. He said that the appeal made on behalf of the dismissed staff and suspended students would be handled in accordance with the rules. Prof. Bosire urged key administrators to embrace peace and dialogue in order to steer the University towards intellectual excellence. He expressed his sincere condolences to family and friends of the bereaved.
Also speaking during the event was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Egara Kabaji who spoke against the use of social media to heckle one another and tarnish varsity’s reputation. He said that every institution goes through upheavals and that was why the University was calling upon the Lord for cohesion and prosperity. He commended the efforts of the Acting Vice Chancellor and Chaplaincy in organizing the prayer day and bringing MMUST fraternity together
The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration and Finance), Dr. Patrick Ojera called for renewal of commitments and stewardship of staff. Dr. Bernadette Sabuni, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) said that there was need to come together and make MMUST an international institution by providing a good working and learning environment for staff and students.
Prof. Shiundu, one of the oldest Professors in Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), gave an account of how the Acting Vice Chancellor,Prof.Joseph Bosire was a hardworking student under his mentorship.He added that Prof.Bosire will take the University to greater heights with his powerful tool of consultation and discussion.Assertively,he also remarked that a University is not a place for tribalism, parochialism or sycophancy, rather it is a place for intellectual interaction.
MMUSO President, Clifton Kisera and union representatives appealed to the Acting Vice Chancellor to pardon suspended students and dismissed staff. The Secretary General of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) said that the Union has resolved to work with the Acting Vice Chancellor to ensure that staff and students get the best experience from the University. He seconded MMUSO President Clifton Kisera’s remarks that the Acting Vice Chancellor, together with the University Council, should take into consideration calling back suspended students who might be languishing back at home. He also appealed for dismissed staff to be recalled and fair promotion of staff to avoid stagnation in same grades for years. He added that doing away with grades below Grade 6 would be a good incentive for members of staff.
The message that carried the day was cohesion even as chaplains and invited clergy prayed for national security. There was entertainment by Kayamba Africa after the prayers bringing people together in song and dance.'
