91�� - Discourse at 91��

Immune System plays key role in recovery from Corona virus

enekesa — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 09:02:27 +0000

With the latest statistics in Kenya as at 25th March 2020 stands at, 0 death, 28 infected with the Corona virus and 1 recovered patient. A 91�� expert was interviewed by a local TV station and she highlighted how the immune system plays a key role in recovery from the infection of the virus.

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corona, covid19, 91�� experts, Discourse at 91��

Two wrongs don’t make it right!

enekesa — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 11:29:05 +0000

That was the key subject of discussion during the first ever dialogue event between the students and National Police Service held at Taifa Hall on Friday February 28, 2020.

The relationship between students and police historically has not been cordial but that is going to change due to the discourse that Amnesty International and 91�� began. The event provided an opportunity for students and the police to openly discuss matters conflict, insecurity and law enforcement within and outside university premises. The discourse presented a mutual understanding of security situations, fears and anxieties that exist from the viewpoints of law enforcement agencies and students.

Kenya Police Service Spokesman Charles Owino said that the Police are a very important unit of the society and that for it to function better, there was need for collaborations with all spheres of society.

“We want the best relationships possible with students so that we can effectively address safety and insecurity issues within the university.” Owino said.

“The 91��, is a very important institution for us and we are really interested in forging a harmonious working relationship through these dialogues, so that when we encounter difficult situations at one point- at least we are able to understand each other as humans even as we search for truth amidst suspicion, conflict and doubt.”

National Police Service Director of Reforms, Charles Ombati noted that Kenya Police Service had tremendously improved its operational capacity and preparedness in respect to all policing aspects.

“We have regulated the use of force and firearms, we are training our officers on human rights and conflict management as well as addressing their psychosocial welfare including mental health.” Ombati said.

“Although we have promoted the aspect of transformational leadership within the police service, we still need a closer working relationship with you because reforms take time to be fully effective.” He added.

In a lively comments, question and answers section, majority of the students commended Police service for initiating a dialogue with them. “We believe this is a new beginning in the relationship between police and students.” Mark Makori, a Political Science student remarked.

We can foresee a situation where students are trustable partners with law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime. A situation where students are treated with respect and in a humane way during demonstrations or other conflict situations.” He added.

Amnesty International Kenya executive director Houghton Irungu, in his speech enlightened students on their rights and at the same time called upon the police to be professional and accountable while discharging their duties.

91�� Director of Corporate Affairs, John Orindi appreciated students for expressing their concerns with the police while also providing suggestions on what could be improved. “The Police Service should continue dialoguing with students so that we can have better working relationships and safe environment for studies and work." He said.

Discourse at 91��, 91��, university students

Beyond ‘good laws and best practices’: Politics of Land acquisition and livelihood restoration

enekesa — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:59:28 +0000

Prof. Asmita Kabra took her audience through the history of the laws of land acquisition and resettlement in India through a Public Lecture on Friday December 13, 2019.

The Professor of Human Ecology from Ambedkar University highlighted that Land acquisition in India was governed till 2013 mainly by the colonial-era Land Acquisition Act (LAA) of 1894. Additionally, more than 100 other land acquisition laws were enacted, mostly in the 1950s, by the central government, state governments and various Public Sector Undertakings. All these laws invoked the state’s power of ‘eminent domain’ (Sampat, 2013), which allowed the state to compulsorily acquire property belonging to private persons for a public purpose upon payment of just compensation.

Severe land conflicts arose in India since the mid-1980s over land acquisition for public sector infrastructure projects. These conflicts escalated in the late 1990s when private sector acquisition accelerated - India’s new ‘land wars’.

Prof. Asmita Kabra engages an audience during Q &A during her Public Lecture on Friday
December 13, 2019

Issues such as vagueness about what constitutes ‘public purpose’; widespread misuse of the ‘urgency’ clause for land acquisition, extremely narrow definition of ‘project-affected families’ – most of the affected people were left out of the ambit of any safety nets , serious undervaluation of acquired land and other immovable assets; compensation was inadequate to buy new land elsewhere , Inordinate delays in payment of compensation; non-transparent procedures, little or no public consultation/ participation; poor grievance redress mechanisms were characteristic of the Land Acquisition Act of 1894.

In 2013, the LARR was reviewed and included an improvement in terms of intent as well as procedures , it specified a long list of types of activities that constitute ‘public purpose’; restricted ‘urgency’ clause only to projects involving national defense, widened the definition of project-affected persons to include those who lose their primary livelihoods, raised compensation price for acquired land (four times the value of the average of registered sale deeds in rural areas, and two times in urban areas) , made it compulsory to provide resettlement and rehabilitation measures (housing units, infrastructure, alternative employment or annuity), specified clear timelines for payment of compensation; provided for interest payment in case of delay, provided for conducting Social Impact Assessment (SIA) to determine a project’s impact on people’s livelihoods, emphasized on transparency at all stages of land acquisition, and free, prior and informed consent of the affected people, specified grievance redress mechanisms at different levels (project, state and national); lays down penalties for non-compliance.

Prof. Asmita concluded by emphasizing the lessons learnt from LARR: evidence-backed lawmaking and reforms are required , all available evidence shows that ‘success stories’ of resettlement are few and far between, while learning from ‘best practices’ from around the world, local context will need to be kept central, National safeguard laws should be legally actionable, law-making is inherently political.

Land acquisition, land resettlement, Discourse at 91��, Public Lecture

Book on knowledge for wealth creation sparks discourse on constitution

enekesa — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 13:17:12 +0000

There was pomp and colour as the book title – Knowledge for Wealth Creation: A Kenyan Perspective was launched at the 91��. The book, a product of the University’s Elimika project, has eight authors and is edited by Prof. Judith Bahemuka, Joshua Kivuva and Dr. George Michuki.

Presiding over the launch, former Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Dr. Willy Mutunga, spoke about alternative leadership.

“Breathing life into the Constitution has been a struggle. The big five communities should allow for rotational leadership in the country. There is a great opportunity in Kenya for completely subverting the politics of division,” he said. “The Elimika Book brings together scholars from different fields with different perspectives on different matters which when put together builds on our understanding of the knowledge of the constitution and governance. Elimika project is grounded on the works of many great philosophers. Public and organic intellectuals get involved. Educators are also educated. Self-education is an important element in this project. This publication is also about hope, I like the idea of multidisciplinary approach that was used to write the book. African countries need to tap into new knowledge, technologies and innovations to enable them turn their economies into streams of wealth.”

The new paradigm shift in the area of community participation has brought new meaning to knowledge exchange and knowledge utilization. Community participation calls for partnerships between the public and private sector, universities and communities in order to create new knowledge webs for wealth creation.

Makueni County Governor, Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, touched on the role of engaging the community is such initiatives.

“I do understand the value of community research and Makueni has indeed facilitated the Elimika research. The business of universities is to generate and disseminated knowledge. Ultimately it is knowledge from the communities that makes it superior knowledge as it applies to theories,” he said. “Academia must be intricately involved in every area of our society because academia provides thought leadership; partnership with the private sector and government is critical. South Korea is a classic example of how collaboration between the academia and industry can be used to address societal problems. And that local leaders should stop viewing professionals as a threat, but as partners in development.”

Dr. Manu Chandaria, the Chancellor, United States International University (USIU), emphasized on the importance of knowledge dissemination for wealth creation.

“If knowledge is not disseminated it remains within the walls of universities and in the end helps no one,” he said. “I strongly believe that it is important to embrace a more multifaceted approach in generating, sharing and utilizing knowledge for wealth creation and for the greater good of all nations. Integrity, hard work and humility is essential for wealth creation. Kenya will only be known for the wealth it creates for its people rather than individuals."

Maurice Makoloo, Regional Director, Ford Foundation, echoed the words of the Kenyan national anthem ‘Plenty be found within our borders’ and asked that there may be plenty of trust, plenty of knowledge, plenty of equity, plenty of patience as this is needed in the process of devolution. Makoloo also highlighted the role of universities and initiatives such as Elimika.

“The privilege of scholars in a university comes with a responsibility. The responsibility is to create knowledge - new knowledge disrupts. There is need for cross and inter-generational conversations about the history of our nation and to pass down this knowledge. Our young ones are so detached from the history of this nation,” he observed. “The belief that Universities are citadels of knowledge is being challenged. As universities impart knowledge and skills, they will be seized of the many other citadels and cells of knowledge that exist outside “the ivory tower.”

Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, 91��, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Human Resource and Administration, Prof. Stephen Kiama, said that Elimika has played a big role in impacting communities.

From Right: Prof. Stephen Kiama,91�� DVCHRA, Dr. Willy Mutunga, former CJ, Maurice Makoloo,
Regional Director, Ford Foundation, Prof. Judith Bahemuka, UNESCO-UNITWIN Chair, Dr.Manu
Chandaria, Chancellor, USIU

“Through Elimika, the University has taken the lead in expanding knowledge boundaries to the broader arena of knowledge. Elimika has brought to the fore new knowledge which is critical in advancing Kenya’s development agenda, in particular, the Big 4 Agenda, all of which are covered in the new book,” he said. “The chapters in this book interrogate issues of human rights, citizen participation, good governance and sustainable livelihoods with the overarching theme of knowledge societies. This book is a tool to transform our society to a cohesive society.”

December 10, 2019

Book Launch, Elimika, Discourse at 91��, 91��

Kenya's Position in Space Science Era

enekesa — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 07:08:27 +0000

Technologies can be applied in satellite communication where data is transmitted through internet connectivity; this enables us to communicate globally. Currently there are many satellites taking images which are being used to monitor information from the surface of the earth. Hon. Wilber Ottichllo, Governor Vihiga County, and an alumnus 91�� discussed this during a public lecture on Space Science at the 91��, College of Biological and Physical Sciences.

Governor Vihiga County, Hon. Wilber Otichillo shares a selfie moment with students at CBPS
after Public Lecture on Monday Nov 25, 2019

Giving examples of satellites, Hon Ottichilo noted the importance of space science technology especially in maritime and aviation industry. An application of space science observation is being able to have precise information on weather.

The Governor's lecture titled Kenya Position in the Space Era: Examining the Status on the Developments in Space Science and its Utilization for Accelerated Economic Development looked at the case of Vihiga County.

An example of a satellite mentioned was Landsat whose importance is collection of information about how the earth changes every day and through the satellites, data is available to analyse these changes on a daily basis. Other satellites mentioned include: meteosat - 4,7,8,10 and NOAA Satellites (GEOS 16,17 Suomi NPP, NOAA-20)

Among applications of space science technology is precision agriculture, where the county of Vihiga borrows in its application of technology. In precision agriculture, agriculture is monitored from satellites as well as drones. Monitoring of where you want to farm, the type of soil, what needs to be added to the soil as well as the inputs required takes place.

Other applications include: urban transport, route mapping, space tourism, natural resource management and national security.

Of these, urban transport is key as 70% of the world population will be living in urban centres in 2050, and analysis of transport information can be done through satellites.

The public lecture gave an opportunity to examine the status on the developments in space science and its utilization in Vihiga County.

In as much as satellites offer diverse advantages on reliability, global coverage, high speed access and cost effectiveness, it has its limitations. According to Hon. Ottichilo, manufacturing requires time and since the satellites have a given life-span, once they go to space, they cannot be taken back for repair. Additionally, the skills needed in space science need to be enhanced. He asserted that the country needs to input resources into Kenya Space Agency so that the agency has the best technical skills in space science.

In conclusion Hon. Ottichilo emphasized that space technology is a technology that is moving the world and any country not embracing this technology will find itself dependent on other countries for information. He encouraged the youth to embrace space science technology as it as a technology that offers a lot of opportunity in terms of employment and research.

Also present was Director Kenya Space Agency, Dr. John Njoroge Kimani.