KIPPRA joined Machakos University fraternity for KIPPRA Mentorship Programme for Universities (KMPUs) event on 2nd and 3rd November 2022. The event whose main objective is to create awareness and develop capacity of university community in understanding the public policy process was attended by KIPPRA Board Chair Dr Benson Ateng’, Executive Director Dr Rose Ngugi, Machakos University Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics Prof James Muola and representatives from National Youth Council, Youth Fund, National Gender and Equality Commission, Directorate of National Cohesion and Values, State Department for Planning and NACADA.
Speaking at the event, KIPPRA Board Chair Dr Benson Ateng’, encouraged the students to establish a policy club to continue the engagement in public policy and benefit from other KIPPRA capacity building programmes such as Public Finance Management, Governance Structures in a Devolved System of Government, and how to Conduct Policy Research at no cost. The Board Chair challenged the students to participate in the national policy discourse, including questioning norms, practicing logical approaches to offer solutions to the country’s national challenges.
Ms Beatrice Apiyo Onyango from the National Youth Council took the students through government opportunities for youth empowerment, including the Public Service Internship Programme.
Mr Martine Bugo Ogutu from the Youth Enterprise Development Fund enlightened the students on government financing opportunities to support youth businesses, talent and entrepreneurship activities. He gave examples of young people who have benefited from the youth fund and whose businesses and talents are thriving. One of them is a university student who got the loan to set up a student centre.
Mrs Dorcas Wainana, a Human Resource expert with a vast local and international experience, enlightened the students on transition to the workplace. She encouraged them to take advantage of technology, including their phones, to tap into the many career openings. She also encouraged them to be entrepreneurial and explore opportunities in their communities. Mrs Wainaina gave an example of a third year Computer Science student at Machakos University who owns a car wash and already employs two other young people. She also educated the students on how to prepare for the job market, including how to write their CVs, how to be presentable and using the appropriate language. She challenged them to have the right attitude and values.
Students were also enlightened on matters gender equality with a presentation from Mr Moses Saranta from NGEC on gender and disability mainstreaming in government plans
Mr Tiony Keter from the Directorate of National Cohesion and Values on sensitized the students on national values and principles of governance.
At the end of the session, KIPPRA Policy Analyst Mr Victor Mose took the participants through a review of the objectives of the KMPUs event. Mr Mose challenged the students to put into practice what they have learnt and encouraged them to come out and make use of their talent
In her closing remarks, Dr Ngugi thanked the university leadership for allowing KIPPRA to undertake the mentorship programme. She noted that the display of confidence and participation of the students in the two-day event indicated that the KMPUs had impacted them. Dr Ngugi said KIPPRA would soon call for papers for the upcoming 6th KIPPRA Annual Regional Conference and encouraged the students and lecturers to respond. She also invited the students to participate in the youth event at the conference.
The Board Chair encouraged the students to seize the opportunities that come their way, including adding their voices, challenging those in authority and being part of the solutions bedeviling the society.
In his closing remarks, Prof James Mwola, DVC Academic and Student Affairs, thanked KIPPRA for facilitating the very informative and empowering event. He said the university would invite some of the speakers to mentor the university students. The event came to a close with award of certificates to students who excelled in essay competition.
