MMUST Community was on Monday, 18th March 2019, privileged to get comprehensive information on the vital processes in public policy making, facilitated by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). The event was spearheaded by the KIPPRA Mentorship Programme for Universities (KMPUS), which took place in MCU 001 at the main campus. The event was coordinated by the director of Career Services MMUST, Dr. Teresa Okoth and Dr. Nancy Nafula, KIPPRA.
The event’s main theme was ‘Public Policy Making and the Big Four Agenda’. The culmination of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MMUST and KIPPRA, which will enable the two institutions to work hand in hand in research and Public Policy. This resonates with the Presidential Big Four Agenda and Vision 2030. In his opening remarks, the MMUST Ag. Vice Chancellor Prof. Joseph Bosire, applauded the KIPPRA team saying the event is timely since universities are assessing their research priorities and this will therefore help them target their research findings in a manner that can influence public policy making. “For a long time universities have not converted ideas into public policy. The coming in of KIPPRA will help universities generate and convert such great ideas into public policy. I have just come to realize that most people don’t understand what the Big Four Agenda entails. This platform is an opportunity for most Kenyans to get a better understanding of policy and the opportunities available such as youth employment and funding. Further, the platform will provide information regarding how individuals can benefit from the government, especially as far as the National Youth Fund is concerned” said Prof. Bosire.
The KIPPRA Board Chairperson, Dr. Linda Musumba and the Executive Director, Dr. Rose Ngugi, expressed their gratitude to the university management for the warm reception and accepting to be part of the initiative. They took center stage in explaining the importance of partnership between the university and KIPPRA, saying this will be a win-win situation for both institutions. “As KIPPRA, we believe our engagement with the university community is a clear demonstration of how to take advantage of a win-win situation. On one hand, Universities are endowed with research skills and the ability to build them. On the other hand, KIPPRA is mandated by law to carry out policy research and analysis and engage with key stakeholders in exchanging views on policy and the development agenda” said Dr. Musumba. Dr. Ngugi on the other hand noted that with the recent growth of universities, there has been a corresponding growth in the number of graduates going out into the job market. There is need for these graduates to be enlightened on the government development agenda and policy framework, and the initiatives of the government in supporting employment opportunities for Kenyan youth.
In recognition of students’ role in policy making, MMUST students got a chance to air their views and presentations on various government initiatives through a stimulating public policy debate. Dr. Ngugi challenged the student come up with well thought through essays which will be published on KIPPRA website. Other institutions represented at the event were; Morris Ondieki, The Enterprise Development Fund, Timothy Kajwang’ - the Kenya Youth Employment Opportunity Program, Daniel Mulinge - the NHIF, Veronca Okoth - the Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat and Elmelda Mogoi - the Directorate of National Cohesion and Values, respectively.
By Shiundu Wilberforce (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
