Artistic impression of the 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).
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.
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