Likuyani Member of Parliament, Hon. Mugabe Innocent Maino on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, paid a courtesy call to the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi to discuss the university’s ongoing initiatives aimed at developing and empowering the community of Likuyani Sub County, Kakamega County.
Central to the meeting was a reaffirmation of the university’s capacity to provide educational and economic opportunities, a vision rooted in the legacy of the Late Hon. Wafula Wabuge who donated a 50-acre parcel of Land in 2016 to JKUAT for the purposes of establishing a training center to empower the Likuyani community.
Named in his honor, Wafula Wabuge Center aims to advance educational access, economic upliftment and social enrichment for local residents.
Prof. Ngumi and Hon. Maino discussed plans to amplify the university’s impact in Likuyani, focusing on the establishment of sustainable economic programs leveraging JKUAT’s extensive expertise, including the development of agricultural value chains in fruit production among other sectors.
Despite the financial challenges currently facing Kenyan universities, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that JKUAT has initiated strategic plans to ensure continuity and sustainability of the university’s mission and objectives in Likuyani.
Prof. Ngumi pledged her support towards the partnership revealing that JKUAT had taken steps to ensure the success of the initiative.
“Our Directorate of Extension Services and Community Outreach conducted two successful training sessions for farmers in 2023 and 2024, focused on agricultural productivity and livelihood enhancement. I am pleased to report that these trainings were well-received, and our outreach efforts have led to ongoing dialogue with farmers to identify future training needs,” said Prof. Ngumi
Prof. Ngumi expressed concern over the slow progress of the university’s mission in Likuyani, noting that financial challenges have slowed the initial momentum the university had achieved.
Hon. Maino expressed pride in the strong reception of JKUAT training programs and recognized the need for ongoing collaboration to address future training needs, ensuring that the university’s outreach aligns with the evolving priorities of the community.
Hon. Mugabe was accompanied in the meeting by an entourage that included, Hon. Anthony Mix, the Member of County Assembly of Sinoko, and his strategic advisor, Mr. Bernard Musiga. Several members of the university management were present including the Deputy Vice Chancellors: Prof. Jackson Kwanza (Research, Production, and Extension), Prof. Robert Kinyua (Academic Affairs) and Prof. Bernard Ikua (Administration and Finance). Additionally, Prof. Daniel Sila, the Principal of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was present, along with others who made valuable contributions on expanding the partnership into a synergistic and sustainable collaboration.
