Ruto challenges youth to become employers rather than job seekers

DP William ruto congratulates Nairobi senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko for graduating with a bachelors degree in business administration marketing during the Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) 15th graduation ceremony as CS Jocob Kaimenyi look on at Kaaga main campus in Meru County, over 3300 graduated. on 18/7/2015. [PHOTO/PATRICK MUTHURI/STANDARD].

 

Deputy President William Ruto has hailed church organisations’ role in provision of quality education, and challenged the youth to become employers rather than job seekers.

He also asked advised universities to admit students from all over the country, saying they should not be seen as ‘tribal’ institutions.

Speaking at the 15th graduation of the Kenya Methodist University (KeMU), in Meru yesterday, the DP said churches lead the way in education. The university has campuses in several parts of Kenya.

The DP, accompanied by Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi, challenged the graduands to put into perspective the development of the nation as opposed to putting their interests first.

“Your knowledge is wasted if you make money for just yourselves,” he said. “You should concentrate on using your knowledge to uplift the standards of living of your communities as it leads to the general advancement of the whole country.”

“The Government is conscious that the academia has a vital role to play in achievement of Vision 2030 goals. Institutions of higher learning are called upon to deliberately impart knowledge that is congruent to Kenya’s desired future as envisaged in the Vision 2030. This calls for focused research, innovation and delivery of quality education and training, whose natural home is the university,” he said.

Ruto said the Government is committed to supporting individuals with initiatives and inventions that would propel the country towards economic growth and industrialisation.

At the same time, he warned universities to steer clear of looking like ethnic enclaves.

“Universities must ascribe to national values, and must ascribe to tenets of being relevant and affordable, so that as many Kenyans as possible can benefit,” he said.

Prof Kaimenyi reiterated that universities must instill national values as the country moves ahead in realising its development goals.

“Universities need to provide skills to students and instill integrity, national values and respect for the law. Impunity should not be seen among us,” he said. Joseph Ntombura, KeMU’s chancellor and presiding bishop of the Methodist Church in Kenya, lauded past graduates and urged the graduating class to use their knowledge in the right manner to positively impact the society.

“The university is partnering with the county and national governments in achieving Vision 2030,” Bishop Ntombura said.

Among the graduating students was Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko. Guests included Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, area MP Rahim Dawood and Women’s Representative Florence Kajuju.

Elsewhere, Kericho Senator Charles Keter and eight URP MPs dismissed threats by CORD led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga that it would boycott the 2017 General Election, saying leaders should learn to concede defeat. The leaders also intensified calls on the government to reinstate top officials cleared of graft allegations. The URP leaders spoke at Mombwo and Tindiret secondary schools in Tindiret Constituency, Nandi County, on Friday.

The MPs present were Julius Melly (Tinderet), Cornelly Serem (Aldai), William Cheptumo (Baringo North), William Kisang (Marakwet West), Jackson Kiptanui (Keiyo South), Arthur Odera (Teso North), Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East) and Moses Cheboi (Kuresoi North).

Lugari MP Ayub Savula also asked Raila to allow independent commissions like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to do their work without political interference.

Keter and the URP MPs called for the reinstatement of suspended Agriculture CS Felix Koskei and his Energy Counterpart Davis Chirchir.

The leaders also wondered why the former PM seems to be fretting on the ongoing fight against corruption, including the CID probe on the NYS land in Yatta. They asked the CORD leader not to distract the fight against corruption being conducted by independent bodies.

On the boycott threat, they reminded Raila that IEBC commissioners were appointed during the grand coalition government that he and former President Kibaki led.

In Lugari, Savula who was accompanied by area County Assembly members said the new Constitution, provides for independent commissions that the President, Parliament and Judiciary cannot interfere with.