MMUST Optometrists Offer Free Eye Screening to Public Service Vehicle Drivers in Commemoration of World Sight Day

MMUST Optometrists in collaboration with the Optometrist Association of Kenya (OAK), Ministry of Health, Essilor Group, Vision Spring Foundation, and KK Optics, offered free eye screening to Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers. This event held on Thursday, 13^th October 2022 at Kakamega Town- Bus Terminus was to commemorate World Sight Day whose theme was ‘Love Your Eyes’. This key event is celebrated every second Thursday of October annually.

United Nations Trains MMUST Library Staff on Access to Its E- Resources for Sustainable Development

United Nations (UN) on Thursday, 13^th October 2022 trained MMUST library staff and students on access to its e- resources for sustainable development. This was evident during the visit by the UN team led by the Information Management Assistant- UN Center Nairobi, Mr. Tirus Wainaina to the UN Information Corner at the University Library. The event was organized by the Ag. Librarian, Mr. Vincent Chibini was geared towards linking MMUST's e- library to the UN digital library, creating free access to the UN online resources, and creating awareness about the UN.

MMUST Picked to Host the 8th National Symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction 2022

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has been picked to host the two-day 8^th National Symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction 2022. The event, which was officially opened by the Governor of Kakamega County, H.E FCPA Fernandes Barasa, and attended by the MMUST Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, kicked off today, 11^th October, 2022 and will go up to tomorrow, 12^th October, 2022 at the University Multipurpose Hall (MPH).

The highlight of the symposium will be the celebration of the 7^th International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), slated to take place on Thursday, 13^th October, 2022 at the Bukhungu Stadium grounds, Kakamega County. The theme of the event is ‘Early Warning and Early Action for All.’

“Kakamega County is privileged to be the host of this year’s twin events-the 8^th National Symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 as well as the 7^th International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. As a County, we are ready and prepared to collaborate with the international agencies, the National Government and other stakeholders to tackle existing and future disasters. Welcome to Kakamega County, the green jewel!” said H.E FCPA Fernandes Barasa.

The Governor also pointed out that climate change has affected the agricultural sector of the County and urged the residents of Kakamega to partner with the County and institutions such as MMUST to ensure that they conserve the environment, especially the Kakamega Tropical Rain Forest.

The Vice Chancellor gives his remarks at the 8th National Symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction 2022.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Prof. Shibairo revealed that MMUST has the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, earmarked for training various professionals in disaster management. “It is an honour for MMUST to host both the symposium and the IDDRR Day. Let us always be prepared to handle disasters. MMUST has the expertise and is committed to train manpower to address disasters,” stated the Vice Chancellor.

The event has been organized by several partners including; MMUST’s School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA), the Kenya National Government, County Government of Kakamega, International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk (UNDRR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Vision, Kenya Red Cross, the United Nations Women, Kenya4Resilience and St. John Ambulance.

The Kakamega County Governor and the MMUST Vice Chancellor inspect the St. John Ambulance stand at the symposium.

Some of the key presentations that marked the first day of the symposium were; ‘Hazards and Disaster Risk Management Status in Kakamega County,’ presented by the County Director, Disaster Management, Ms. Abigael Chepkorir; ‘Progress and Achievement in Sendai Framework Implementation in Kenya,’ presented by the Director, National Disaster Operations Center (NDOC), Mr. Charles Owino; ‘Experiences and Good Practices in Early Warning for Early Action,’ presented by the Kenya Red Cross and ‘Status of Weather and Climate in Kenya: The New Normal,’ presented by the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD).’

To spice up the presentations, there was a roundtable discussion followed by an engaging panel discussion with participants on the ‘Value of Early Warning for Early Action; Investing in Early Warning, Anticipatory Action and Effective Early Warning Communication.’

The selection of MMUST to host an event of this magnitude is evidence that the University has gained national and global recognition in the area of disaster risk reduction. These are gigantic steps for MMUST as it partners with international entities to tackle the threat of manmade and natural disasters.

By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Mary Wangari Wambugu

Dr. Ferdinard Nabiswa Wins the Highly Competitive Dean School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Position

Dr. Ferdinard Nabiswa has been declared the Dean elect of the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA) after garnering 11 votes against his two competitors Prof. Stanley Omuterema and Prof. Edward Neyole who both got 4 votes each. This follows a highly competitive election that was conducted today 7^th October 2022 at the Main Catering Unit (MCU 002).

The voting process which kicked off at 8.30 am was overseen by the Chairman, Deans of Schools Electoral Board, Prof. Sibilike Makhanu, and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Lurambi Constituency Returning Officer, Mr. Salim Abdala.

MMUST’s Department of Physics Receives Virtual Arm Equipment Worth Kshs. 5.4 Million From Stem Power Inc. Massachusettes, USA

MMUST’s Department of Physics on Friday, 7^th October, 2022, received assorted Virtual Arm equipment worth Kshs. 5.4 million from STEM Power Inc. Massachusetts, USA. The equipment, earmarked for virtual computer and electronics laboratories, was received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, and Dean, School of Natural Sciences (SONAS), Dr. Joseph Owino. The Chairman- Department of Physics, Dr. Maxwell Mageto and Senior Lecturer of Physics, Dr. Francis Gaitho were also present during the handover of the equipment. The donation will boost Science learning in the University.

Kenya Institute of Supplies Management Equips MMUST Procurement Team With Essential Skills

Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) equips the MMUST Procurement team with essential skills related to the field. This was evident on Monday, 3^rd October, 2022, when the KISM team led by the Chairman, Mr. John Karani paid a courtesy call to the Department with the purpose of addressing the University procurement team on ‘Procurement Professionalism, Challenges Faced by the Team and Collaboration amongst the Practitioners.’ The event was held at ABA 208 in tandem with section 4 of the Supplies Practitioners’ Management Act no. 17 of 2007 (revised 2012) of the laws of Kenya. This was presided over by Procurement Officer II, Mr. Peter Maina who was representing the Procurement Officer, Ms. Scarlet Kavaya.

MMUST Shines in Co-curricular Activities as It Emerges the Best Overall at the 94th Kenya National Music Festival and Bags Other 13 Trophies in Sports

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), has shined in co-curricular activities as it emerged as the best overall at the 94^th Kenya National Music Festival, 2022. This remarkable performance was awarded by the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Rigathi Gachagua. Similarly, MMUST sportsmen and women scooped a total of thirteen (13) trophies during the Kenya Universities Sports Federation (KUSF) National Ball games held in Taita Taveta University and Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) Western Conference Games played at Kisii University.

Dr. Rose Opiyo Tackles Child Protection, Safety and Disability Inclusion as She Conducts Another Training Phase to Caregivers

The IHELP Principal Investigator, Dr. Rose Opiyo tackled key aspects of Child Protection and Safety as well as Disability Inclusion as she conducted a two-day extensive training for caregivers. This training was held on 28^th and 29^th September 2022 at Cardinal Center which is one of the four IHELP centers that have been established in Ikolomani Sub-County. The training facilitators were Nutrition Expert, Ms. Martina Adega and the project’s Consultant in matters of Inclusive Education, Dr. Elizabeth Mabele.