DRASTIC DECLINE OF KAKAMEGA TROPICAL RAIN FOREST THROUGH DEFORESTATION LIKELY TO REDUCE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, RESEARCHERS WARN

Researchers at the 15^th Multi-Disciplinary International Virtual Conference hosted by Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), have warned that the drastic decline of Kakamega tropical rain forest through deforestation, is likely to reduce agricultural productivity in the region. These sentiments came through during the Agriculture and Food Security Symposium which was moderated by Prof. Basil Ong’or, an Associate Professor of Hydrology at MMUST

MMUST DRIVES DISCOURSE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURE AS ITS 15TH MULTIDISCIPLINARY VIRTUAL CONFERENCE KICKS OFF

 Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) is clearly driving the discourse on Agriculture and Food Security. MMUST’s  renowned Professor of Agriculture, Prof. Leonard Wamocho exhibited this when he led a provocative discussion on ‘Population Threat for Kenya; A Significantly Missed Debate on Strategic Food, Nutrition and Environmental Security.’ Prof. Wamocho said that the country is not producing enough for subsistence or commercial use, therefore, it is imperative that child birth and population can be controlled.

According to Prof. Wamocho, legalization of contraception, abortion, and sterilization throughout the world would help reduce population growth and curtail maternal deaths from unsanitary legal abortions.As 15th multidisciplinary international virtual conference kicked off

“Family planning is a basic human right,” he emphasized.

He added that the issue of population is often neglected in many discussions yet a small family size leads to improved economic conditions.

RESEARCHERS AND SCHOLARS SHOWCASE EFFORTS TO SOLVE CHALLENGES AFFECTING THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR DURING MMUST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Researchers and scholars across the globe have today, 25^th May, 2022, presented findings and ideas in a bid to solve challenges affecting the agricultural sector. This was during the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s 15^th Multi-disciplinary International Virtual Conference, themed ‘Operationalizing Agriculture through Digital Technology, Innovation, Education,’ which will go up to Friday, 27^th May, 2022.

MMUST DISABILITY MAINSTREAMING COMMITTEE CHAMPIONS INCLUSIVITY TO ENSURE EASY ACCESS OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s Disability Mainstreaming Committee (DMC), has stressed on the need to include issues related to disability in service delivery to ensure easy access to services for People living with Disability (PWD) in the University. This was during the informative training held on 12^th May, 2022 at the Golf Hotel in Kakamega County.

The workshop was graced by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Planning Research and Innovation, Prof. Charles Mutai who acknowledged the relevance of the DMC. He stated that Disability Mainstreaming forms part of the indicators in the Performance Contract of all Government institutions with the aim of anchoring disability into government policies, plans and programs. “It is our objective as a University that persons with disabilities are empowered to fully and equally participate in the University's development process,” said Prof. Mutai.

MMUST TAKES IMPACTFUL JIGGER RESEARCH OUTPUTS TO COMMUNITIES IN HOMABAY COUNTY

A team of prolific researchers from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) are transforming communities through impactful jigger research that is set to completely metamorphosize the treatment of jigger infestation in Kenya and beyond.  This was exhibited on Friday, 20th May, 2022, when they mounted an outreach at Andiwo Primary School in Kanyamwa, Homabay County. The project is anchored in the Centre for African Medicinal and Nutritional Flora and Fauna (CAMNFF) whose centre leader is Prof. Maurice Vincent Omolo, a member of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

MMUST’S PARTNERSHIP WITH KONZA TECHNOPOLIS SET TO TRANSFORM KENYA’S RESEARCH AGENDA AND INNOVATION STRATEGY

MMUST’s partnership with Konza Technopolis is set to transform the research agenda of the entire country if the recent Konza Technopolis workshop is anything to go by. This was evident during the one- day sensitization workshop on 16th May, 2022 by Konza Technopolis which was organized by MMUST's Science Park, Innovation and Incubation Centre (SPIIC) led by Prof. John Muoma.  The sensitization workshop is part of the partnership that will cement MMUST and Konza Technopolis.

VICE CHANCELLOR PROF. SOLOMON SHIBAIRO CHAMPIONS RESEARCH AND FUND RAISING THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING OF MMUST’S RESEARCHERS

Masinde Muliro University’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Solomon Shibairo has taken the lead in advocating for research and fund raising through capacity building of MMUST’s researchers. Accompanied by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration and Finance, Prof. John Kuria Thuo and Prof. John Muoma (Representing DVC PRI), Prof. Shibairo led a Research Writing Workshop held on 19th May 2022.

MMUST’S VICE CHANCELLOR PROF. SOLOMON SHIBAIRO ATTENDS THE 19TH EDITION OF THE AFRICITIES SUMMIT IN KISUMU CITY

The Vice Chancellor, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Prof. Solomon Shibairo on 18^th May 2022, attended the 9^th edition of the Africities Summit in Kisumu city. The Summit which was officially opened by H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday 17^th May 2022, will go on until Saturday 21^st May 2022.

This year’s summit, themed “The Role of Intermediary Cities of Africa in the Implementation of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations and the African Union Agenda 2063”, drew participants ranging from researchers, academicians, economic actors, policy experts, civil society, financial institutions and Higher learning institutions. A majority of speakers who spoke during the opening of the Summit called upon participants to be actively involved in the development of small cities in order to improve the lives of Africans.

 Prof. Shibairo visited different exhibition tents including the MMUST tent, which is showcasing a variety of products from the University. Other MMUST staff present were Prof. Asenath Sigot, Prof. Vincent Omollo, Prof. John Muoma, Prof. Lilechi Baraza,  Mr. James Muriithi and Ms. Irene Aluku.