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When Hon. Njenga Karume visited Strathmore University
Hard work, discipline and honesty are the secrets to being a successful entrepreneur, Hon Njenga Karume told students at question and answer session with students during his visit to the University on Wednesday, 3rd March. Hon Karume is a successful entrepreneur and a prominent public figure in Kenya. He has been at the forefront of development matters in Kenya since the colonial era. He served as a Minister of State for Defence his last stint in government. He was the Member of Parliament for Kiambaa until December 2007.Hon Karume was at the University as a guest of Strathmore Governance Center (SGC) with which he shares a keen interest of restoring African ideals and recovering the moral fiber lacking in social and public institutions of contemporary Kenya and Africa in general. He urged his audience to realize the importance of the family as a core social institution. Talking about the danger of today's busy professional schedules, he insisted on the need to set aside time for the family, in order to pass on good values to the children. He acknowledged that SGC projects are timely and important particularly in fostering integrity and responsibility in all spheres of governance, hence his heartfelt encouragement the University and SGC. Welcoming Hon Karume to the University, Vice Chancellor Prof John Odhiambo told him that he is a home grown model of entrepreneurship. Having people like him makes it irrelevant to refer to foreign models. Prof Odhiambo added. Dr Antoinette Kankindi, the Director of SGC explained to Hon Karume the various research projects already being carried out to improve governance in the country while Mr Luis Borallo, the Director of Advancement office explained the University's expansion plans. After touring various parts of the university and part of the Phase III expansion project, Hon Karume commented on the visitors' book: "I am very happy because I didn't know that good work has been going on here". Prof David Sperling described him as 'Mutongoria njamba', which means a great leader in Kikuyu. Some of the students who have read his recently published autobiography, 'Beyond Expectations: from Charcoal to Gold' described it as authentic and inspirational. Strathmore University's library has three copies of Hon Njenga Karume's autobiography. Upon a polite request from Laban Cliff who did not know this, 'Mheshimiwa' promised to send three autographed copies. Hon Karume's CV as at 2007 is available here: |
