Institute intensify efforts to eradicate poverty in East Africa

The new Executive director and CEO of African Institute for capacity development Prof James Njiru (left) is congratulated by the outgoing boss Prof Dominic Byarugaba of Uganda at the organisation headquarters located at JKUAT in Juja. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) has pledged to continue with its work of reducing poverty within its member States.

The institute's main goal is wealth creation in the African region through human capacity development. AICAD is funded by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with the headquarter being at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

According to Tanzania Permanent Secretary Daniel Mushi who spoke on behalf of the institute's outgoing chairman Prof Carolyne Nombo, they will intensify training, research and knowledge sharing efforts in order to reduce levels of poverty in the three States.

"We are an institution focused on capacity building and poverty eradication, working across various sectors of the economy. Our programmes are aligned with Kenya's vision 2030, Tanzania's vision 2050 and Uganda's Vision 2040," explained Prof Mushi.

The institute has been focusing on child development involving support to vulnerable children in health, education and nutrition.

AICAD also pays attention on livelihood development through training youth in skills, enterprise and leadership.

"We also offer training and extension by offering grassroots and national level training in agriculture, enterprise, water management and value addition," said Prof Mushi.

Another area that the organisation concentrates on is on information and knowledge sharing where it conducts research, documenting best practices and sharing development information.

Meanwhile, Prof James Njiru becomes the institute's new Chief Executive Officer, taking over the leadership mantle from Prof Dominic Byarugaba of Uganda. Prof Njiru was unveiled on Friday at a Board meeting, during which Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda became the next chairperson.

"The CEO will assume the work of the office immediately but the chairperson Dr Kedrace will begin her work in October this year," said Prof Mushi.

The two seats are rotational within the three countries with that of the chairperson being replaced after every two years while that of the CEO is rotated after three years.

The institute's main goal is wealth creation in the African region through human capacity development. AICAD is funded by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with the headquarter being at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).