Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has urged students not to only pursue university education to gain employment but learn to be agents of change in society.
Speaking yesterday during the 13th graduation ceremony of Kabarak University, Gideon said education should make students better citizens.
“The ultimate end of a university is not employment, a salary or personal economic progress. That is good, but not good enough. The ultimate end of a university is the wonderful search of truth that directs our actions and makes us more human, better professionals, honest citizens and good family men and women,” he noted.
“A true university should teach us, to be better persons, noble men and women, agents of change for the common good, for the good of Kenya, and not just a tool for a job,” he said.
The Senator has added another feather to his cap after he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the university for his exemplary work to humanity.
At the same time former President Moi appointed the Senator Kabarak University Pro-chancellor. Gideon was inaugurated to assume the position yesterday during the graduation ceremony that saw 676 graduands awarded various degrees and diplomas and certificates.
Inspection
Moi, in a letter read by the Kabarak University Council chairperson John Lonyangapuo, appointed the senator as Pro-Chancellor effective July 1, 2018.
“I am pleased to appoint you as the Pro-Chancellor of Kabarak University, the appointment takes effect from July 1, 2018 until further notice,” read part of the letter of appointment. It was read by Prof Lonyangapuo who is also the Governor of West Pokot.
In the letter, Gideon is expected to help the chancellor to confer degrees, award diplomas and certificates to graduates and promote holistic growth of the university in accordance with its philosophy, charter and statutes.
He will also direct from time to time an inspection in teaching, research or any other work of the university for its betterment.
In his acceptance speech, Gideon promised to steer the university to greater heights
He described the institution as a dream come true and a game-changer in the education sector.
Gideon said the former president has always envisaged education as an essential tool for the sustainable development.
He added: “Your Chancellor, my father, Daniel Arap Moi, had a great ambition. To make education reach all corners of our nation, and Kabarak University was the crown of his educational dream.
“Though I grew up surrounded by power in State House, my father always taught me that all those luxuries and privileges cannot be the source of true happiness. Happiness could only be found in faith and family, in the beauty of ordinary work extraordinarily done, becoming a better child of God; a better husband and a better father… a better citizen, a better human being...” Gideon added.
Prof Henry Kiplangat who has been the acting university vice chancellor was also inaugurated to serve as the fifth vice chancellor.
“Kabarak University chancellor, former President Moi has duly appointed Prof Henry Kiplangat as the fifth vice chancellor of the university, he understands the history and the vision of the university, committed to serving the community and the university council has found him suitable for the position,” Prof Lonyangapuo said.
The Governor said the university council will not relent in its service until Kabarak is ranked among the top ten universities in Africa.
He lauded the Senator for playing a role in developing the Local Content Bill aimed at ensuring the public benefits from minerals.
The Senator drafted the Bill when he served as chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy.
“The Local Content Bill will put to an end conflicts that have rocked communities in oil and gas rich areas. It ensures minerals do not become a curse to local communities as has been the case in most oil producing nations in Africa,” Lonyangapuo said.
The Bill saw Gideon voted the legislator of the year in the Oil and Gas Awards 2017 for exceptional legislation that has positive impact on the lives of the people.
The Senator also lobbied for inclusion of Baringo County in the list of beneficiaries of Equalization Fund which came to fruition in July this year after the county was left out in 2013 during the initial classification done by Commission on Revenue Allocation.
“During his first term in Senate, the Senator embarked on unmatched philanthropic activities where he spent over Sh100 million to support individuals, churches, health facilities and schools in Baringo County,” the Governor noted.
Since getting into politics in 2002, Gideon has also been championing for peace among warring communities in the region. This is bearing fruits as attacks among the pastoralists have reduced.
