| dc.description.abstract | This was the message echoed by different speakers during the launch of ‘Construction of Knowledge Societies Initiative,’ that was organized by the University of Nairobi (UoN) and funded by Ford Foundation.
‘Elimika,’ the initiative will create an opportunity to look at education afresh and build knowledge blocks that will help Kenyans articulate their rights and responsibilities. The project thus aims at empowering Kenyans for prosperity by equipping them with broad based knowledge on their citizenship, human rights, good governance, sustainability livelihoods and development.
While launching the project, Chief Justice, Dr. Willy Mutunga underscored the voice of the citizenry during the implementation of the constitution. He noted that there is no neutrality in the implementation process and that civic education is not about reviving old debates but forging ahead and working on moving the nation forward. He advised the University of Nairobi not to limit the project to reaching people in the rural areas but also target the elite who equally requires sensitization on the Constitution.
Maurice Makoloo, Ford Foundation Regional Representative, East Africa, He said that constitutions must be acted upon to make them deliver a nation that we can all be proud of. Makoloo commended the University of Nairobi on the launch of the initiative noting that the conversation is indeed an academic institution’s input into the journey to constitutionalism. The event attracted professionals from different sectors who shared their insights on the process.
The Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya, Prof. Githu Muigai said that the political commitment to implement the Constitution 2010 exists and that it has been kept alive by the political will of Kenyans. In response to the launch of the initiative, he said that the knowledge economy has come and it is an economy that will reward those who invest in knowledge. He challenged Kenyans to engage in constructive discussions that will move the processes realizing a holistic growth in the country.
Dr. Vijoo Rattansi, Chancellor, UoN, said that the knowledge generation approach through the inter-university, multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral caucas is a very noble idea which the University is proud to participate in. She noted that given that the youth comprise 60 per cent of Kenya’s population, stakeholders have a huge challenge in terms of knowledge dissemination in a form easily understood by the so called “dot com generation.” She called on different actors to equip the younger generations with the requisite knowledge needed for making responsible decisions on their own governance.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George Magoha, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Henry Mutoro said that it is critical for all to appreciate that today’s knowledge society is a fusion of new technologies, innovations and the emerging internet based technologies which is providing fresh opportunities for the promotion and widening of public knowledge. Therefore, the Constitution 2010 needs to be simplified and presented to the communities in a manner that is understandable and which can be appreciated by all.
The launch of the ‘Construction of Knowledge Societies Initiative’ is the bridge between the University of Nairobi and the wider community. The RRI was the learning ground so that members of the University fraternity can reach out to counties and spread knowledge on the understanding, appreciating and owning the constitution 2010. The first phase will comprise counties of Nairobi, Kwale, Makueni, Homabay and Turkana and later on the project will will be rolled to the rest of the country hopefully within the next two-three years. | en_US |
