This Is What Mugenda Leaves Behind As She Quits At KU.

Barely 24 hours after an inferno razed Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) main men hostel, Kenyatta University have unveiled their own fire engine to counter such tragedies within their institution.

Speaking during the launch, outgoing Vice Chancellor Madam Olive Mugenda said that the move was about disaster preparedness and that it was prudent to always be proactive about developing the core competencies of disaster readiness.

She revealed that this was one of her brainchild about two years ago and thus thanked the university senate for approving its procurement from a Chinese company about a month ago.

She was glad to launch the project before retiring from her seat as the senior most administrative officer of the institution.

The company’s representatives used the opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the ultra-modern fire engine. The high lift nozzle engine is able to raise water up to the fifth floor of a building. 

The Chinese are expected to train a group of fire fighters who will be standby in case of any fire in a course fully facilitated and financed by the institution

The fire engine will not only benefit the institution but also the neighboring community as part of their corporate social responsibility.

With Mugenda’s term ending this week, she has already accomplished all the projects set in the Kenyatta universities strategic plan and even over-passed her own expectations in terms of infrastructure, education levels, security, safety and other social aspects in the institution.

“Am proud to have implemented the strategic plan made ten years ago and even we have gone beyond it. I sincerely thank my senate and the board of management for their support and contribution towards this milestone,” said Mugenda.

Professor Mugenda has been the KU's Vice Chancellor for the last ten years after an appointment by retired President Mwai Kibaki. She has been able to transform the university into a state-of-the-art facility of international standards.