Masinde Muliro University: Why we're awarding Mudavadi Honorary PhD
Education
By
Brian Okoth
| Dec 02, 2022
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has picked Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi as its nominee for the conferment of the Honorary Degree in Peace and Sustainable Development.
MMUST says Mudavadi was recommended by the University Senate and the University Council.
He will be conferred with the honorary doctorate on Friday, December 9, 2022 during the university's 18th graduation ceremony.
"Mudavadi is a public servant, trailblazer, diplomat and a peace maker who is now famously known as 'a safe pair of hands'. Kenyans remember with trepidation the ravaged economy in the early 1990s. Regarded as one of the finest finance ministers, he is credited with saving the country from runaway inflation and judiciously stabilizing the economy of the country as it was in tatters," MMUST said in an advertisement published on Page 7 of The Standard newspaper on Friday, December 2.
"Guided by sustainability ideals, in less than five years between January 1993 and December 1997, he ended the notorious pillaging at the Central Bank of Kenya, reduced inflation rate from 50 per cent to a single digit; and, was able to establish the autonomy of CBK that laid the foundation for managing the domestic debt," added the university.
MMUST: 'The Musalia we know'
"Born in Sabatia on September 21, 1960, the son of a prominent politician of his time, Musalia Mudavadi learned at an early age the intricacies of leadership and the need for peace at all material times. As a young man at the age of 28, he became a Member of Parliament when he was elected unopposed in a by-election in Sabatia Constituency, which was occasioned by the death of his father and went on to retain the seat a record four times.
"With the knowledge he gained from studies in economics at the University of Nairobi, he became a public servant par excellence, serving for over 19 years in six ministries and eventually ending up as Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Cabinet Secretary. Many a time, his approach to politics has served to lower political temperatures that could otherwise precipitate election-related ethnic tension and polarization in the country.
"This prescribes and instills positive peace as it builds on societal attitudes that foster long-lasting peace. He strictly adheres to speaking the truth and intrinsically exhibits non-aggressive and non-violent behavior in his career and political life. It is these traits and persona that easily pre-dispose him as a promoter of peace that results in sustainable human security and development.
"The apogee of his peace-making effort was demonstrated when he was named as the team leader of the ODM's side in the Koffi Annan Mediation Team during the 2007/2008 post-election violence in Kenya. He was the chairman of the Orange Democratic Movement contingent at what became known as the Serena Talks. Eventually, he was called upon by the chief mediator Koffi Annan, to be the main mediator among his Kenyan counterparts in what became famously known as the Kamkunji. Consequently, because of his peaceful disposition and commitment to end the mayhem, he was able to successfully mediate between the Kenyan counterparts and contributed immensely to the end of the 2007/2008 post-election violence."
MMUST further said that Mudavadi's establishment of the Mudavadi Memorial Foundation Trust Fund which "responds to societal needs", demonstrates the Prime CS's "immense accomplishments in sustainable development".
Upon his conferment with the honorary doctorate on December 9, Mudavadi will bear the ceremonial "doctor" title.