Mount Kenya University (MKU) has opened a staff cafeteria and fitness centre in the main campus in Thika town, a big boost to its staff in efforts to keep fit during this Covid-19 period.
The facility termed as first class by university chairman Prof Simon Gicharu has an ultra-modern fitness studio that is well equipped with up-to-date training machines and equipment meant to boost health statuses of their workers.
Gicharu said its construction was necessitated by the sub-standard facility that the staff have been using over the years, putting off several of them from exercising.
He said effective use of the fitness centre would minimize their staff’s health risks and thus reduce premiums that the university pays for its staff health insurance provider.
“Exercise is the best medicine especially at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. This facility is a comfort gym for our staff members. It is a milestone that will put MKU amongst the few universities in the country that have a state-of-the-art Senior Common Room. Our students are equally supported through various Recreational facilities in our campuses,” Gicharu said.
He said the facilities would also improve the rate of socialization and bonding among the staff thereby creating an environment for all to be able to perform well.
The Vice chancellor (VC) Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi said a similar facility is now in the planning stage at the MKU Kigali campus in Rwanda.
“In our current strategic plan, we have called for excellence in delivery of programmes, which include hospitality projects. This facility is also a new platform for training of our students,” the VC added.
Also under construction is a Convention centre in Thika campus. The facilities being launched add to the modern academic resources needed and business units to support practical training, internship opportunities for students in the school of Hospitality, Travel and tourism management.
Others are the Golf residence in Mombasa County that supports the school of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management; TV47 (Kenya) and Royal FM radio in Rwanda that supports practical and professional journalism training and internship opportunities to the students and alumni.
By Muoki Charles
