The Great Lakes University of Kisumu plans to introduce Institute of Leadership and Management, Vice-Chancellor Prof Hazel Miseda Mumbo has announced.
Prof Mumbo says the institute will be named after Paul Mboya, the late Luo Council of Elders chairman, who is credited with launching a number of learning institutions in Nyanza, including Kisii School, Agoro Sare High School, and Homa Bay School – some of the well-known extra county schools in the region.
GLUK is known for sciences and environmental studies in undergraduate and graduate programmes.
Prof Mumbo made the announcement during the launch of a book about Paul Mboya that is authored by Geoffrey Sang and Dr Vicent Akoko in Kisumu recently.
Led by Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, the governor of Kisumu – who has authored the Foreword of the book – the launch of ‘Paul Mboya: A Portrait of A Great Leader,’ was graced by Higher Education Principal Secretary Simon Nabukwesi, Prof Ratemo Michieka, the chair of National Research Fund, Maseno Acting DVC Erick Nyambedha and a number of dons.
Universities the world honour icons and leaders by naming respected schools and institutes after them.
In Kenya, the University of Nairobi has the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies.
Indeed, there is Odera Akang’o University that was launched in 2008 under Moi University before Maseno University took it over in 2021.
Prof Maathai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 and was a Kenya assistant minister, died in September 2011 at 71 years having become a world renown figure for her environmental activism.
Paul Mboya – not to be confused with Tom Mboya who was a minister in Jomo Kenyatta’s government and sent Kenyans to study in the US through an Airlifts scholarship – was an influential figure who rose to interact with the leaders of the world, getting invited to exclusive events at places like yhe Buckingham Palace – the seat of UK government.
A former chief, Paul Mboya got awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 1957 and six years later an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).
Born in 1895, he died in 1981. His son, Daniel Mboya, said “the greatest benefits” of the book will be to university dons and students of history, administration, government and decision-makers.
