GIS Lab to be set up

“Esri is keen on having a GIS Lab in every campus. We are particularly keen in an area of excellence for GIS at the University of Nairobi,” says Judah arap Bett, the Managing Director, ESRI Eastern Africa. “GIS can be used in a variety of disciplines, not only in geography, but in history, mathematics, language arts, environmental studies, chemistry, biology, civics, security, medicine and many more.”

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama also highlights the role of GIS in data and its importance to research and teaching.

University of Nairobi Council launches its strategic Plan of governance 2019-2024

While giving the highlights of the Strategic Plan, the Chair of Council, Prof. Julia Ojiambo noted that the Plan focuses on five main areas; teaching and learning, research enterprise and innovation, financial and institutional sustainability, overall institutional development and branding and Operation efficiency and effectiveness.

Inequalities in society breeds violence

Speaking during the launch of the report on December 17, 2019 at the University of Nairobi Towers, Mr. Torome Saitoti, Principal Secretary, The National Treasury and Planning, State Department of Planning, observed that the Ministry, they have put in place policy options to help in driving out inequalities. “Inequality is a product of unfair system,” he said. He mentioned the various efforts being carried out by government to address inequality challenges. Such include the Big Four Agenda which addresses universal healthcare, affordable housing, food security and manufacturing.

62nd University of Nairobi Graduation 2019

At the fete, Prof. Patricia Kameri- Mbote went down in history as the first woman to receive the Degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D) of the University of Nairobi.

The graduation summary was 737 Diploma awards, 5413 Bachelor degree awards, 54 Post-graduate diploma awards, 2130 Master degree awards, 27 Fellowship awards, 56 Doctor of Philosophy degree awards and 1Higher Doctorate Degree Award.

In her speech, the Chancellor had a warm congratulatory message for the graduates.

Politics of Land acquisition and livelihood restoration

Issues such as vagueness about what constitutes ‘public purpose’; widespread misuse of the ‘urgency’ clause for land acquisition, extremely narrow definition of ‘project-affected families’ – most of the affected people were left out of the ambit of any safety nets , serious undervaluation of acquired land and other immovable assets; compensation was inadequate to buy new land elsewhere , Inordinate delays in payment of compensation; non-transparent procedures, little or no public consultation/ participation; poor grievance redress mechanisms were characteristic of the Land Acquisition Act o