Mazrui’s visit rekindles youthful memoirs

By Ngumbao Kithi

A poem recitation to mark the birth of Prophet Mohamed at the grounds of Mombasa Polytechnic was the springboard that plummeted Prof Ali Mazrui to success. His story is the classic example of a humble boy who defied all odds to rise and become one of the world’s most respected university dons.

Few Kenyans know that on his first job, Mazrui was a junior clerk at Mombasa Polytechnic, which was then called Mombasa Institute of Muslim Education. The year was 1955 when the don-to-be recited the captivating poem. The Governor of Mombasa, who was in attendance, was moved by the young man’s talent and later played a crucial role in paving the way for his future.

Prof Mazrui now lives in the United States of America. On a recent visit to the Mombasa Polytechnic, Mazrui said the institute has an emotional attachment to him. "I believe luck beckoned since I was at the right place at the right time doing the right thing," he told a gathering at the institution.

He explained how, after completing school, he had sought voluntary work at the Governor’s office. He was awarded a three-month attachment without pay.

Varsity chancellor

Later, he was moved to Mombasa Polytechnic for the junior clerk position. He tried applying for scholarships on several occasions but only received regrets.

"Soon after I recited the poem, I was invited for an interview for a scholarship," Prof Mazrui said. "Strangely, it was conducted by the Director of Education." He was to later learn that the Governor had intervened and asked the Director to consider his talent.

Days later, he was awarded the scholarship to study in England.

Prof Mazrui recently celebrated his 75th birthday and said he was humbled to return to the polytechnic. He was surprised to see it had maintained its original architectural design, and this brought fond memories of his youth.

Prof Mazrui expressed his dream to have Mombasa Polytechnic a fully-fledged university that continues to offer both diploma and degree courses, putting to rest speculation that the polytechnic would no longer be accessible to students with lower grades.

Prof Mazrui is the current chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Coincidentally, the polytechnic was recently made a constituent college of the university and renamed Mombasa Polytechnic University College.