The second peace conference is part of MKU’s contribution to global peace, Prof Jaganyi says
Mount Kenya University (MKU) will host the second International Conference on Peace, Security and Social Enterprise as part of its contribution to global peace.
MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi noted the event will take place from today to Friday, which is inspired in part by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.”
“SDG 16 champions a society that is free of violence of all kinds; that protects its people from abuse; and that promotes the rule of law, ensuring equal access to justice and shared resources.
This conference, therefore, contributes to the creation of such a society,” Jaganyi said.
Since independence, Kenya has lost around Sh50.07 billion due to economic slowdowns during election years, according to the World Bank, Kenya has had an election-related violence cycle approximately every five years.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, the university has made a deliberate and conscious decision to contribute in our small way, to sensitise and raise awareness on the negative consequences of such conflict,” says the VC.
Over 500 people are expected to attend the conference, which is titled “The role of universities, public and private sectors in peacebuilding for socioeconomic development.”
Rev Samuel Kobia, chairman of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), will offer a keynote speech on “Peace Advocacy in an Electioneering Period” as one of the event’s speakers.
Laban Ayiro, Vice-Chancellor of Daystar University, Carole Kariuki, CEO of Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Prof Hubert Gijzen, UNESCO Regional Director, Stephen Gitagama, Chief Executive Officer of Nation Media Group (NMG) and Anne Makori, Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), are among those who will speak at the conference.
