NEWS EDITION
no responses May 10, 2024
Uniting Against Corruption for Societal Transformation
By Ms. Maureen Obare
Standing: The proposed Hekima University's (PHU) Vice-Chancellor (proposed) Dr. Elias Mokua, SJ, during his presentation.

From the 7th to 8th May 2024, the proposed Hekima University’s (PHU) participated in a Conference organised by Loyola Centre for Media and Communication (LCMC), in partnership with the Interreligious Council of Kenya (IRCK), and Catholic Justice and Peace Department (CJPD) at Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR). The conference was premised under the theme “Faith Practice in Breaking the Chains of Corruption,” and it strongly resonated with the University’s vision of nurturing visionary and ethical professionals for societal transformation.

Participants discussed the systemic nature of corruption in Kenya as a country and its very devastating effect that denies the citizens economic opportunities yet they pay tax very dearly, and therefore leading to institutions’ failure. Discussion on this issue further went to even the education sector, in relation to the scourge of examination cheating, lack of funding for higher education, discriminatory distribution of bursaries and the domineering need of inculcating values and ethics in students.

Standing: the proposed Hekima University's (PHU) Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs(proposed) Fr. Dr. Odomaro Mubangizi, SJ

The topics discussed were founded on Catholic Social Doctrines that PHU also ascribe to that revere the human person, the common good, and the urgent call for peace and concern for the poor. PHU leaders knew that the moral crisis will eventually overwhelm the prospective curricular programs, in particular the Data Science curricula, and so they wholeheartedly agreed that the rot is deep within the institution.

It was a resounding call to action coming at the very end of the conference: A joint fight against corruption. It calls for an admission that no entity or individual can solve the endemic problem on their own and, hence, a call for combined efforts. In essence, the conference galvanized mobilizing stakeholders toward a concerted effort against corruption in alignment with the university’s commitment to ethical leadership and social change.

From Left to right: Dr F.S Abdalla HSC, OGW, CBS,Prof. Kivutha Kibwana the Fomer Governor Makueni County, RT. Rev. Dr Daniel Muriuki of the National Independent Church of Africa (NICA), Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi and chairman of Catholic Justice and Peace Department (KCCB-CJPD) RT.Rev.Dr Simon Peter Kamomoe.

The university was represented by its Vice-Chancellor(proposed) Dr. Elias Mokua, SJ, who doubles as the Executive Director of Loyola Centre for Media and Communication (LCMC), and its Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs(proposed) Fr. Dr. Odomaro Mubangizi, SJ. The participants were drawn from civil society i.e. Transparency International (TI), political parties, faith-based institutions, government (both National and County), media, judiciary, among others.