Makerere gets Mwai Kibaki Presidential Library

Kampala.

Makerere University has launched a resource mobilisation campaign for construction of the Mwai Kibaki Presidential Library, which will mark him as Kenya’s third president and alumnus to the institution.

The proposed 20-storey complex will host the “H.E. Mwai Kibaki Endowed Chair in Economies, and the East African Mwai Kibaki Centre for Leadership, Public Finance and Policy.”
The four-year project is expected to cost $50m (about Shs138 billion).

Speaking at the event on Friday at Makerere University, the chancellor, Prof Mondo Kagonyera, said the Mwai Kibaki Endowed Chair in Economics will be occupied by an internationally credentialed competitive professor of Economics.

He said the professor will teach research and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, while the Leadership, Public Finance and Policy Centre will provide unique opportunities for African ministers of finance, permanent secretaries and secretaries of treasury to become scholars-in-residence for the African Development Agenda.

“It is with great joy and pride that I install H.E. Mwai Kibaki, Makerere’s illustrious and outstanding alumnus and former academic staff, on this distinguished chair of Economics,” Prof Kagonyera declared.

In his keynote address titled: ‘Unlocking East Africa’s Intellectual Capital,’ President Kibaki said: “Naturally, universities, Makerere included, are abodes of excellence in which ideas become part of the process of creating opportunities for prosperity. It is in this context that the proposed library and policy centre will become relevant to East Africa, Africa and the world.”

Mr Kibaki had earlier unveiled the School of Economics, now renamed ‘H.E. Mwai Kibaki School of Economics’ at the College of Business and Management Sciences. He also unveiled the foundation stone for the proposed Mwai Kibaki Presidential Library.

Mr Wana-Etyem, the chairperson to the University Council, said: “On behalf of council, I fully endorse Makerere University’s resource mobilisation strategy for the Presidential Library, which will run up to December 2015.”

Vice President Edward Ssekandi represented President Museveni as the chief guest. He announced the government’s contribution of $5m (about Shs14 billion) towards the construction of the Mwai Kibaki Presidential Library.

About Mwai Kibaki

Background.

Emilio Stanley Mwai Kibaki, 83, is a Kenyan politician born in Gatuyaini village, Nyeri District, now Nyeri County. He is the youngest son of Kikuyu peasants Kibaki Githinji and Teresia Wanjiku.

Career.

Kibaki had earlier been influenced to become a soldier by veterans of the First and Second world wars but opted to attend Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, where he studied Economics, History and Political Science. He is one among the many Kenyan political figures who have passed through Makerere University.

He graduated best in his class in 1955 with a First Class Degree (BA) in Economics. He taught at Makerere in 1958 in the economics department until 1960.

Family.

He is married to Lucy Muthoni and they are blessed with four children.

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