Address by Prof. Henry k. Kiplangat, PhD, MBS, OGW Vice-Chancellor, Kabarak University, On The Occasion of The Launch of The Book Authored by Prof. Githu Muigai and published by the Kabarak University Press Friday, July 15, 2022 Held at the Nairobi Club.
Our Chief Guest, Hon. Chief Justice Martha Koome, President of the Supreme Court of Kenya;
Justice Paul Kihara Kariuki, the Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya;
Prof. Willy Mutunga, Chief Justice Emeritus;
Prof. Githu Muigai, Attorney General Emeritus;
Kennedy Ogeto, the Solicitor General of the Republic of Kenya;
Senior Counsel Mohammed Nyaoga, Senior Partner at Mohammed Muigai Advocates, and Chairman of the Central Bank of Kenya;
Chief Prosecutor Sarge Brammerts, Under Secretary General of the United Nations Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals;
Senior Members of Kabarak University Management Board:
Ronald Chepkilot, DVC (Admin and Finance)
John Ochola, DVC (Academic and Research)
Jacob Kibor, University Provost
John Osogo Ambani, Dean of School of Law;
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Good evening!
It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to the official launch of Prof Githu Muigai’s book penned under the title: Power, Politics and Law: The Dynamics of Constitutional Change in Kenya, 1897-2022, and published by the Kabarak University Press. Yes, you heard it right. The book has been published by the Kabarak University Press!
Our Chief Guest, ladies and gentlemen, this is an historic moment for Kabarak University. The University was founded twenty-two (22) years ago by His Excellency Hon. Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, the Second President of the Republic of Kenya. His Excellency proceeded to launch the Kabarak University School of Law on June 25, 2010. Building on the solid foundation laid by His Excellency President Daniel T. Arap Moi, the University Council, upon the recommendation of the University Senate, approved the establishment of the Kabarak University Press in 2021. The main objective for the establishment of the University Press is to bolster the publication of academic resources including books, monographs, and research journals.
Since the majority in this audience this evening are prolific producers and consumers of research, I want to embrace you as key stakeholders of Kabarak University.
As such, I give you my assurance that the University has put in place a competent team of editorial staff that can transform your ideas and manuscripts into seminal publications. The evidence is there for all of us to see this evening. To begin with, not long ago, on May 9, 2022, Prof. Githu Muigai and I signed the Book Publishing Contract. I forwarded the contract to the leadership of our University Press and instructed them to act on it expediently.
In a short period of two months, our editorial team, led by the Dean Prof. John Osogo Ambani and the Editor-in-Chief, Humphrey Sipalla, burned the midnight oil. The result is the publication of the magnificent masterpiece we are launching this evening.
Ladies and gentlemen, the message I am passing to you is that we have the means and the wherewithal at Kabarak University to publish your ideas and disseminate the same to the target audience. We have partnered with Prof. Muigai to achieve what I am talking about. Furthermore, early this year, we achieved a similar feat with Prof. Willy Mutunga, Chief Justice Emeritus and Professor of Public Law, Kabarak University, when Kabarak University Press published his inaugural lecture as a sessional academic monograph.
To Professor Githu Muigai, I heartily congratulate you, on behalf of Kabarak University, for your distinguished academic record exemplified by this landmark publication. This publication is certainly a major contribution that will be a must read by the members of the legal fraternity and scholars of constitutional law. Furthermore, the fact that you had the confidence to publish what is clearly your magnum opus with our budding press is as much a testament of your patriotism and humility, as is your belief and confidence in Kabarak University.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are the hallmarks of great friendship which we should celebrate today.
The Chief Guest, ladies and gentlemen, it is now my distinct pleasure to welcome Prof. Githu Muigai. The Professor requires no introduction as he is a household name nationally, regionally and internationally. Prof. Muigai is one of the most decorated lawyers, having taught at the University for over three decades, and having served with distinction at the Bar at the rank of Senior Counsel, and having served the Republic of Kenya as the Attorney General.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Professor Muigai and let us give him our undivided attention.
Prof. Henry K. Kiplangat, PhD, MBS, OGW
VICE-CHANCELLOR
