KIPPRA, in collaboration with Maseno University, hosted the Mentorship Programme for Universities (KMPUs) event on 8th and 9th March 2023. The programme is aimed at creating awareness and developing the capacity of the university community in understanding the public policy making process. Students and lecturers from Jeramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Tom Mboya University and Kabarak University also attended.
KIPPRA Executive Director Dr Rose Ngugi was represented by the Economic Management Director Dr Eldah Onsomu who explained KIPPRA’s mandate and the objectives of the KMPUs. The Board Chairperson Dr Benson Ateng’ further elaborated the Institute’s role in the public policy process and encouraged the students to form a policy club to enhance their engagement in public policy.
In his welcoming remarks, the Maseno University VC Prof. Julius Nyabundi recognized KIPPRA’s vital role in the public policy process, saying by choosing to deliver the programme at the university, KIPPRA was devolving its functions and impacting the community. He added that the MoU signed between the university and KIPPRA was the first step in enhancing future engagements.
After the introductions and speeches, KIPPRA Principal Policy Analyst Dr Eliud Moyi taught the public policy making process where he explained what a policy is and the various stages in developing public policy.
To deliver the KMPUs, KIPPRA partners with various institutions who provide experts to speak on specific public policy issues. The first speaker was Mr Norman Oloo from the State Department for Economic Planning who explained the planning process and its role in national development. The next was Kisumu County Secretary and Head of Public Service Mr John Auma who discussed the national long-term and medium-term development agenda, particularly County Integrated Development Plan (CIDPs).
Ms Irene Miako, a HR expert, spoke to the students about professional development, growth opportunities for the youth, college to workplace transition and career networking while Mr Davis Ochieng from the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) explained gender mainstreaming in government, including the legal framework, progress in achieving gender equality and what is yet to be achieved.
Dr Yvonne Olando from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) made an elaborate presentation of the harmful effects of alcohol and drug abuse. The students also got a broad understanding of the national values and principals of governance courtesy of Mr Edward Nyongesa from the Directorate of National Cohesion and Values.
Students from the Department of Music and Theatre Studies displayed an array of talent through their choir, spoken word and poetry. Students who had submitted essays on the theme “accelerating inclusiveness through effective planning and implementation of national and county development priorities” got a chance to engage in a policy debate on the theme. At the end of the programme, KIPPRA awarded certificates of participation to the students who participated in essay writing and the policy debate.
