Was Francis Atwoli’s honorary degree award withdrawal fair?

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli speaking during a funeral in Nyando Kisumu County on November 25, 2017. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

First of all, an award of an honorary degree  is given pursuant to guidelines put down by the CUE, which have to be followed to the letter before the award is finally given. I will also say that Masinde Muliro University did well to nominate unionist Francis Atwoli whose advocacy is well known across the globe.  

He will not be the first in the university’s history to be given that. Former President Mwai Kibaki (2007) and Tegla Loroupe (2009) were awarded for exemplary performance in different spheres. I think the university is on the last phase of the CUE procedures to award the degree to Atwoli who mark you, is also subject to public vetting to qualify for the award.

It is a tedious and winding process the world over and I hope he succeeds. Again all universities have the prerogative to give or not to give honorary degrees and it also depends on the availability of the one to receive it. That said I feel that no one has to politicise such a matter. If you remember a similar honorary (Degree in Humane Letters) was awarded in the last academic year to the First Lady Magrette Kenyatta for her health drive initiative by the same university, but she was held up and did not turn up to receive it. Why did people not politicise that? I don’t think the planned awarding to Atwoli was postponed with malice it is just time and he (Atwoli) will receive his award.

 

Prof. Odebero is Deputy Principal Turkana University.