Prime Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi is set to be conferred with an honorary doctorate in Peace and Sustainable Development by the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).
The honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causea) of Peace and Sustainable Development will be conferred to Mudavadi during the university’s 18th graduation ceremony to be held this Friday December 9, 2022 in Kakamega town.
A statement from the University describes Mudavadi as a public servant, trailblazer, diplomatic and peace maker, who is famously known as “a safe pair of hands”.
Mudavadi is credited with saving the country from runaway inflation and stabilizing the economy of the country in the early 1990s.
“Guided by sustainability ideals, in less than five years, between January 1993 and December 1997, he ended the notorious pillaging at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and was able to establish the autonomy of the financial regulator that laid the foundation for managing the domestic debt “read the statement from the University.
Mudavadi’s peace-making effort was demonstrated when he was named as the team leader of the ODM’s side in the Koffi Annan Mediation Team during the 2007/2008 post-election violence in Kenya.
He was the chairman of the Orange Democratic Movement contingent at what became known as the Serena Talks. Eventually, he was called upon by the chief mediator Koffi Annan, to be the main mediator among his Kenyan counterparts in what became famously known as the Kamkunji.
“Consequently, because of his peaceful disposition and commitment to end the mayhem, he was able to successfully mediate between the Kenyan counterparts and contributed immensely to the end of the 2007/2008 post-election violence”, the statement adds.
The University further observes that Mudavadi’s establishment of the Mudavadi Memorial Foundation Trust Fund which “responds to societal needs”, demonstrates the Prime CS’s “immense accomplishments in sustainable development”.
Between 1999-2002, Mudavadi, then as Minister for Transport and Communications, spearheaded the liberalization of the communications sector through an Act of Parliament that led to the establishment Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) (then known as Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK).
Born in Sabatia on September 21st 1960, the son of the prominent politician at that time, Musalia Mudavadi learned at an early age the intricacies of leadership and the need for peace at all material times.
As a young man at the age of 28, he became a Member of Parliament when he was elected unopposed in a by-election in Sabatia Constituency, which was occasioned by the death of his father, Moses Mudavadi and went on to retain the seat a record four times.
“Serving for over 19 years in six ministries and eventually ending up as Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister and now Prime Cabinet Secretary, his approach to politics has served to lower political temperatures that could otherwise precipitate election-related ethnic tension and polarization in the country.
“This prescribes and instills positive peace as it builds on societal attitudes that foster long-lasting peace,” reads the statement.
Upon his conferment with the honorary doctorate on December 9, Mudavadi will bear the ceremonial “doctor” title.
Over 6,000 students are expected to graduate during the institution’s graduation ceremony slated for December 9, 2022 at the University grounds in Kakamega town.
By George Kaiga
