Mount Kenya University is developing a chronicle of former President Mwai Kibaki's contribution to the country since the 1960s.
It will particularly focus on his tenure are the country's chief executive.
Kibaki has been hailed as one of the greatest leaders the country has had over the years and praised for turning around the economy when he was president between 2002 and 2013.
Kenya recorded economic growth of eight per cent in 2010, from a low of 0.6 per cent when Kibaki took charge. It was also during his tenure that Kenya got the 2010 Constitution, which heralded a new dawn for the country, including the devolved governance structure that birthed the 47 counties.
MKU founder and chairman Simon Gicharu said the university, working with other players, including the former president’s office, would document Kibaki’s achievements. Kibaki also served as MP and Finance minister and vice president.
“Working under the chairmanship of the MKU pro-chancellor, a team of MKU and other persons from outside MKU is working on a textbook in close liaison with H.E Mwai Kibaki’s office. The textbook will feature the political and economic contributions of the third President of Kenya between the early 1960s and 2013 and beyond,” Gicharu said.
“Additionally, MKU is forging on a regional network of partnerships targeting new linkages in the East African region as a contribution to the East African Regional Integration.”
The book will be in addition to the recently completed Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre on MKU Thika campus in his honour.
Gicharu, who spoke this week when the university held a luncheon to review its strategic plans, said the university has also built the Malindi Odel Centre facility and a new building for its Meru campus.
“We commit ourselves to the provision of the necessary infrastructure, including additional lecture rooms on Thika Campus,” he said.
He commended the university management for steering the institution during the difficult times occasioned by Covid-19.
Prof David Serem, university council chairman, attributed the university’s resilience to teamwork.
"I wish to remind everyone that the university will register great progress the more we work as a unit. This university has established a culture and tradition of teamwork," he said.
"I appreciate the harmony within the board of directors, among the members of the council, and in the university management. It is my appeal that we uphold this spirit."
Dr Jane Nyutu, MKU co-founder and board member, emphasised the need for teamwork, terming it the only way the university would thrive in the long term.
“We are all a winning team… quoting the words of Michael Jordan, ‘Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.' As a team, our focus is not just to win a single game but to win championships, which are prolonged, very engaging events that require resilience and focus to remain afloat,” she said.